Electric Avenue Webinar Series
The Electric Avenue webinar series provides high-level overviews on various microgrid projects and show how microgrid technologies enhance energy resilience and efficiency. Each webinar is one hour in length and will feature subject matter experts as guest presenters who will share their knowledge on specific microgrid applications, designs, and project outcomes. All webinars are complimentary.
In-Front-of-the-Meter Neighborhood Networked Nano and Microgrids
October 23, 2024 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Use of “in-front-of-the-meter” (FTM) microgrids by utilities is beginning to take place based on a variety of use cases. Unlike “behind-the-meter-power” (BTM) microgrids, including microgrids/nanogrids that are principally designed to support the single entity local loads, FTMs must both support local loads and support grid-wide system stability. Given the increasing volatility of supply due to the increased use of non-dispatchable intermittent renewable resources as well as significant changes in the demand characteristics of loads, including everything from fast EV charging, all-electric HVAC, AI assisted information and communication systems, and more, the challenges of maintaining grid supply and demand balance and system stability are increasingly troubling.
The traditional ways of handling grid supply and demand volatility and frequency and voltage stabilization include the deployment of low use, high noise emitting, high total cost of operation, and typically high greenhouse gas emission, locally deployed fossil fuel powered mini power plants, sometimes called peaker plants, and primary power plant spinning reserves that grid operators can call on at times of high demand. But these conventional solutions carry significant cost and environmental consequences and are often too slow to support needed short interval frequency (60Hz) maintenance. When frequency deviates too much, something called “out of regulation frequency,” the resulting grid instability can lead to equipment damage, disruptions to power supply, and blackouts, as power resources and loads automatically disconnect from the grid; essentially to protect itself from broad system cascading linear failure.
Both BTM Microgrids and FTM Microgrids are considered better solutions by many industry experts to solving this cacophony of seemingly daunting issues. This webinar will explore two major FTM architectures being implemented in this regard: Neighborhood/community “local nanogrid/microgrid networks” and so-called “utility scale” microgrids. Industry experts discussing both domains will be moderated by EMerge Alliance Chairman Brian Patterson. Using both BTM and FTM microgrid in local networks as part of an emerging “Grid-of-Grids” will also be discussed.
Moderator: Brian T. Patterson, Chairman – EMerge Alliance
Speaker: Gary Oppedahl, VP Emerging Technologies, Block Energy – A non-regulated subsidiary of Emera, a North American public utility for neighborhood/community FTM Microgrids
Speaker for Utility Scale FTM Microgrids: TBA