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Micro Grids powered by renewable energy sources are the ideal solution to bring resilient energy access to communities and businesses throughout the country. Furthermore, economic incentives such as the Investment Tax Credit, the Production Tax Credit, feed-in tariffs, net metering, and state renewable portfolio standards can be successful at bringing renewable energy generation online.

A Micro Grid is merely a smaller scale version of the larger electrical grid that powers our country. The electrical grid exists to supply our electricity demand, connecting electrical supply to electrical demand with the transmission and distribution system. Micro grids works in the exact same way, just for a smaller geographic area, like a couple of buildings or a local community. To meet the electricity demands of its users, a Micro Grid must have a generation source. Traditionally, the electricity supplied to Micro Grids has historically been from “behind the meter” fossil fuel generators – gas-powered generators, for example. However, with the rapid advancement in renewable energy technologies, today’s Micro grids are being designed to supply electricity with a combination of various renewable generation sources, and can be combined with versatile energy storage solutions. At Brevian Energy, we are committed to fighting the effects of climate change and our mission is to bring affordable, reliable, renewable power to homes, businesses, and communities in every possible location. 

Some businesses face steeper losses than others. Eight key U.S. market segments studied by energy consultant E Source forfeit about $27 billion per year due to power outages. The E Source report found that manufacturers tend to suffer the most from extended outages, followed by financial service companies, healthcare, and grocery stores on a more granular level. These industries also face significant losses during short outages and power quality disturbances. Consider a car manufacturer that makes about 1,200 cars a day: The cost for each vehicle is roughly $50,000. That means just one day offline costs the factory $60 million. Once a business determines the cost of losing power, logical questions follow: What will it cost to avoid this loss? Is the investment worth it? What does a microgrid cost? Where do we find the expertise to build and operate a microgrid? This is where we can be of assistance.

PROPERTY DEVELOPERS

The advantages of these microgrids are seeping into the minds of real estate developers and investors alike.  These intelligent energy upgrades represent a way to add value to premium properties serving high-demand customers.

Additionally, these upgrades relieve strain on the existing energy infrastructure and provide a cleaner solution to urban development.

3 Commercial Real Estate Benefits & Advantages of Microgrids

1. Improved Power Reliability – Microgrids with multiple generation sources provide diversity and, therefore, greater reliability.  Connecting a microgrid to the larger grid means increased power dependability.

2. Lower Energy Costs –Microgrids connected to the larger grid can use power from that grid, especially when prices are cheaper than the microgrid.  Conversely, the use of the microgrid is maximized when prices from the larger grid are higher.

These variables are often time-of-day rates, demand charges, weather, potential demand responsive events, and load shedding scenarios.

3. Energy-Efficient – Microgrids with multiple generation sources are more efficient through renewable sources, eliminate the transmission and distribution energy losses, and recover and use heat locally. This implementation results in higher energy efficiency and lower carbon production.