The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the release of a new, interactive tool tracking microgrids installed throughout the United States.
A microgrid is a local grid with an independent source of energy capable of disconnecting or “islanding” from the utility grid. Microgrids improve resilience by allowing critical facilities to continue operating in the event of a utility-grid outage. For manufacturers and industrial facilities, microgrids can also help ensure delivery of the high-quality, reliable electricity necessary to maintain today’s increasingly digitized operations.
The Microgrid Installation Database includes a comprehensive listing of the U.S.’s 461 operational microgrids that provide a total of 3.1 gigawatts of reliable electricity. The information, which is updated on a monthly basis, is presented in a tabular format to help users easily access and sort data. The site features:
An interactive map of microgrid installations across the U.S.
The ability to filter and search for sites by technology, end-user application, generation and storage capacity, and operating year
Downloadable data files
The new Microgrid Installation Database is co-located with the complementary Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation Database, which captures the nation’s CHP installations. CHP technologies allow facilities to generate on-site electric power and useful thermal energy from a single fuel source. The high efficiency and reliability of CHP systems decreases carbon emissions while offsetting the need to generate steam or hot water with a separate boiler. CHP technologies are an attractive anchor for multi-technology microgrids, particularly those incorporating renewable generation sources like solar PV or wind.
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