Section 3 – Implementation & What Follows
How do I work with a microgrid integrator?
While planning and designing a microgrid, keep in mind that putting those plans into action will require involvement from community leaders, members of the community and the partner company that has been selected as a microgrid integrator. Below are some practical tips for working with your microgrid project team and community stakeholders.
What to expect while the microgrid is in use?
When microgrids are in operation, several metrics should be recorded to effectively evaluate the system’s health and its impact on the serviced community. Although these metrics are not mandatory, measuring them highlights the positive impacts the microgrid has on the community.
Some key metrics to consider when evaluating the performance of a microgrid are included below. When working with a microgrid developer, ensure that they create a dashboard as part of the control system to track these and other metrics your community is concerned with. Tracking these items will be done in part by sensors monitoring your DERs and equipment, and in part through calculations done to estimate things like carbon emissions based on how much fuels of various types are consumed.
Long-term monitoring of these metrics can reveal trends over seasons and/or years, prompting necessary technology upgrades or other modifications. For instance, declining performance in battery storage systems, increased friction in wind turbines, decaying efficiency in solar panels, or a decreasing number of jobs may indicate the need for maintenance, replacement, or new training programs.
How do I maintain a microgrid?
When it comes to maintenance for a microgrid, there are two main things to consider: who will work on it and what tasks are there to do?
Referencing a guide from S&C Electric, there are three main options to consider for who can handle the operation and maintenance of your microgrid. These include:
- Do-it-yourself
- Operation and Maintenance contractors
- Your microgrid integrator
The figure below, derived from S&C’s guide, weighs the pros and cons of these options. It is also important to consider the community members and ease of access to the community for third parties. Some rural and remote communities may benefit more from training their own technicians to operate and maintain their microgrid equipment.
While weighing who will oversee microgrid maintenance, it makes sense to be aware of what the tasks will be. Monitoring and planning maintenance for the system is a crucial task to make sure your community has reliable power without incurring large, unexpected costs for fixing equipment. The figure below lists the typical tasks and estimated costs of maintaining DERs.
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