Earlier this week, the Microgrid Alliance (MGA) announced its formation. Its goal is to be a collective voice for companies and other stakeholders involved in microgrids.
Microgrids are small-scale power systems that tie into the main grid. As the graphic above shows, there are many pieces to a microgrid. Most are found on campuses, military bases, or similar small community-type locations.
According to the Galvin Electricity Initiative, microgrids feature a wide range of “smart technology in a single location, which maximizes service quality, savings and entrepreneurial job creation potential and thus helps produce a viable business case. Through smart microgrids, the economic benefits to consumers of the smart grid transformation are maximized and are a significant multiple of the cost.”
MGA will host two inaugural events in the coming weeks: a Microgrid Workshop at the National Town Meeting on Demand Response & Smart Grid in Washington, D.C on May 19, and a meeting of members and prospective members at the Microgrid Global Summit in Irvine, CA on May 22.
The MGA was formed with the aim of bringing together parties that want to accelerate the growth and development of microgrids. Founding members include General MicroGrids, Landis+Gyr, Homer Energy, Alstom, Enbala, EarthSpark International, ESTA International, and Green Energy Corp.
“Through my company’s work on microgrids, I have seen the need for coordination between those of us involved in this growing industry,” said Terry Mohn, CEO of General MicroGrids and Chairman of the Microgrid Alliance.
“The Microgrid Alliance fills this void by educating the public, advocating for policies that promote microgrids, and providing a venue for its members to share best practices.”
“Although ‘microgrid’ has been somewhat of a buzzword in the energy sector for several years, it is really moving into the mainstream now,” said Dan Delurey, Executive Director of the Microgrid Alliance. ”The MGA is the only organization to bring together a broad group of companies working on microgrids to provide a collective voice for this sector.”
MGA members represent the diversity within the community, and include grid technology companies, software and service companies, demand response providers, renewable energy and storage companies, building owners and operators, and research organizations. Other stakeholder sectors will be encouraged to join.
Source: PR Newswire
Image by Willdan
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