Advanced Microgrid Solutions Raises $8.8M for Hybrid Electric Buildings

Article Link:

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/advanced-microgrid-solutions-raises-6.9m-for-hybrid-electric-buildings

1. Southern California Edison (SCE) is taking a novel approach with technology-agnostic company Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS).  AMS will equip buildings with battery technology and advanced energy management systems, which will be aggregated as a fleet and then used to shift load during peak times or provide ancillary services on the grid. Each installation is controlled by the utility. AMS will own and operate storage on behalf of utilities, while building owners benefit from lower demand charges and a cost-free upgrade to its energy profile.
2. The California Public Utilities Commission had ordered SCE to fill about one-third of its megawatts with “preferred resources” (which essentially is anything but fossil fuel) to help replace the shuttered San Onofre nuclear power plant, as well as several once-through water-cooled natural gas-fired power plants set to close in the coming years. The simple solution would be to build new gas-fired power plants; however there are air-quality constraints that make this challenging. This technology would provide buildings with the opportunity to store and manage their own electricity with zero-emissions while providing grid support to utilities.
3. Stakeholders include: Local Regulatory Agencies; Local Energy Utilities; Commercial and Industrial Business Owners; Third Party Vendors (Contractors, Consultants, Electricians etc.)
4. The first steps are to submit a Request for Information (RFI) to the local utility, and identify targeted buildings where electric utilities need grid support; after which AMS analyzes energy usage, rate structure, and technologies available to maximize utility programs efforts to:

• Reduce Energy Waste
• Lower Energy Costs
• Increase Revenue from Demand Response Programs

According to the article, “The first 10-megawatt hybrid-electric building project will be in Irvine, Calif. and is expected to be completed late in 2016.”

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