Planning, Design, and Development

Microgrid Institute's multidisciplinary team brings decades of experience in every facet of energy project development. On the foundation of this expertise, we provide multidisciplinary project management and leadership to support planning, design, and development. We work with the industry's most accomplished engineers, technology companies, and legal and finance experts to support microgrid and distributed energy planning, design, and development, from conception to implementation.

Project supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Microgrid Design & Development: Olney Town Center Microgrid

Microgrid Institute led a multi-disciplinary team that included engineers and developers from Green Energy Corp, North Carolina State University's FREEDM Center, and Schneider Electric, to design a multi-zone community microgrid to serve critical loads in downtown Olney, Md. In September 2017, the Microgrid Institute team completed the project final report, which details technical design considerations for the multi-zone community microgrid and its control system; legal and ratemaking options and factors; and system test results and outcomes.

Download

Design Principles

Any successful project depends on a solid foundation of operational design, technology, engineering, and system integration. Each project begins with in-depth analysis of strategic objectives and potential technical options. We take a multi-disciplinary and iterative approach, considering interdependent issues and refining project plans to address factors affecting successful progress and completion. Each step of the design process is driven by the needs of the project host, community, and stakeholders.

Microgrid Engineering

Microgrid technologies including advanced distributed control systems increasingly support flexible modular approaches that reduce engineering complexities and costs. Microgrid Institute manages multi-disciplinary teams that include world-class power system engineers, designers, and technology suppliers and integrators. Our engineering and technology partners provide licensed professional engineer (PE) services to support development, design, and engineering of microgrid systems.

Integrated Design Approach

Microgrid Institute brings multi-disciplinary approach to microgrid development and design, leading teams to address a variety of interdependent factors affecting the system's effectiveness and efficiency. In addition to working with engineers and technology providers to design and specify integrated microgrid systems, Microgrid Institute teams address all relevant facets of a given microgrid project.

Functional objectives and use cases: Are they compelling? Comprehensive? Forward-looking? Are they consistent with technical, economic, and regulatory realities?
Technical/engineering design: Is the technology proven and compliant with prevailing industry standards and practices? Is the design valid in terms of power engineering and operations? Does it address the project's functional objectives and use-case requirements?
System integration: How will the project interact with other systems, including the utility grid and back-office platforms and processes, as well as parallel infrastructure (fuel supply, telecom, water, transportation, etc.)? How does it factor into long-range planning and development strategies?
Finance/economics: How will the project be structured in terms of investment ownership, contracting, servicing, and transactions? Does the project have a compelling business case and cost-benefit framework? What financing options are considered and how do they affect project economics?
Legal/regulatory issues: What regulations, laws, and policy factors might affect the project? How will it address legal and compliance requirements?