Mini grids in practise: where and what they do
In a previous post we talked about mini and micro grids and understood the ‘generations’ of grids and what happened when they become, or are met by, the national grid. Third-generation grids are pathfinders into the changing energy sector. By operating on a smaller scale, they can adapt faster than the main grid, blending different energy sources and solutions in new ways.
While each mini grid differs according to its scale, purpose, geography and climate, and existing infrastructure the conventional model of a third-generation mini grid can be identified.
While each mini grid differs according to its scale, purpose, geography and climate, and existing infrastructure the conventional model of a third-generation mini grid can be identified.
Mini grids are a combination of the above components. Energy sources also include hydroelectric. When connected to the grid they may act as small power producers (SPP) and or small power distributors (SPD).
Stewart’s farm mini grid in south Lancashire almost matches the diagram exactly. PV panels and its centre piece Marshal wind turbine allow the farm to almost entirely run off grid. The farm lives off the land, the wind, and the sun, producing 140 kW of energy, 100kW from the turbine.
The development has been a success and has highlighted hazards for remote developments. The local roads were too narrow and had to be widened for the turbine to be delivered. This will be a common factor across all of rural UK – though many including myself would view road widening and turbines a win-win.
Apart from narrow roads and dodging a water main, erecting the Marshal wind turbine showed that a development of its kind is possible and viable even when not operating on an economy of scale.
Stewart’s farm mini grid in south Lancashire almost matches the diagram exactly. PV panels and its centre piece Marshal wind turbine allow the farm to almost entirely run off grid. The farm lives off the land, the wind, and the sun, producing 140 kW of energy, 100kW from the turbine.
The development has been a success and has highlighted hazards for remote developments. The local roads were too narrow and had to be widened for the turbine to be delivered. This will be a common factor across all of rural UK – though many including myself would view road widening and turbines a win-win.
Apart from narrow roads and dodging a water main, erecting the Marshal wind turbine showed that a development of its kind is possible and viable even when not operating on an economy of scale.
Alternatively, ThamesWay’s centralised housing micro grid in Woking strategically interplays with the main grid for half the year. In summer energy from the 14 house’s PV panels is stored and distributed in a central battery substation. That same station imports energy from the main grid during winter at low use times. At these times much of the grid’s energy is wind generated, allowing the micro grid to remain powered by renewables when it reaches out to the main grid.
Residents receive energy at below market price throughout the year.
Battery storage optimises both on site energy production and imports from the main grid, capping grid energy prices at their lowest.
The project’s success and ease of integration is a promising template for future housing developments and transformations of the existing. On site production and distribution give developers competitive advantages while alleviating stresses on the main grid.
Residents receive energy at below market price throughout the year.
Battery storage optimises both on site energy production and imports from the main grid, capping grid energy prices at their lowest.
The project’s success and ease of integration is a promising template for future housing developments and transformations of the existing. On site production and distribution give developers competitive advantages while alleviating stresses on the main grid.
Milton Keynes commercial EV charging microgrid embodies a do-it-yourself attitude as it overcame grid limitations to become a high-capacity commercial vehicles charging site. Expansion was halted as the site’s demands exceeding grid capacity however, increased battery storage enabled effective and reliable power distribution to the vehicles from its PV production and reduced grid reliance.
The charging station maximised efficiency with VEV IQ energy balancing and distribution software.
The efficient and harmonious micro grid system demonstrated a solution to previous incohesive micro grids such as the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, where different energy sources integrated poorly and caused power outages.
The charging station maximised efficiency with VEV IQ energy balancing and distribution software.
The efficient and harmonious micro grid system demonstrated a solution to previous incohesive micro grids such as the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, where different energy sources integrated poorly and caused power outages.
