{"id":1739,"date":"2021-09-15T08:20:54","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T15:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/delsolenergy.com\/?p=1739"},"modified":"2023-06-23T08:16:35","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T15:16:35","slug":"microgrid-100-renewable-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/delsolenergy.com\/microgrid-100-renewable-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"Micreogrid: 100% Renewable Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On July 7, the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid (RCAM) community partners announced that construction activities would begin on California\u2019s first 100% renewable, multi-customer microgrid. Let\u2019s dive into what a microgrid is and how it\u2019s helping California\u2019s recent grid catastrophes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more on California\u2019s grid challenges over the last year, check out this Los Angeles Times article, Why Does California\u2019s Power Grid Keep Flirting with Disaster?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Microgrid? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A microgrid is a self-sufficient energy system that serves a discrete geographic footprint. Areas it may serve includes a college campus, hospital complex, business center, neighborhood, or in this case, an airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what\u2019s this really mean? Microgrids are local forms of energy that generate energy for customers nearby. It\u2019s an independent power source that can disconnect from the central grid and operate without connection. However, while they can<\/em> operate independently, they primarily remain attached to the central grid in a sort of symbiotic relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, a microgrid often has a greater overarching goal, lower prices, cleaner energy, greater electric reliability, etc. and the microgrid controller aims to meet this goal by increasing or decreasing the use of the microgrid\u2019s resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When built, the RCAM will provide energy resilience for the Humboldt County\u2019s regional airport along with emergency services and medical life flights and the neighboring U.S. Coast Guard Air Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The microgrid\u2019s solar arrays will have the ability to generate electricity for around 500 households on the North Coast. When power outages or emergency shutoffs occur, RCAM will be able to disconnect from the grid and run independently for a minimum of two weeks. In worse solar conditions like a winter storm event, the microgrid can provide up to 24 hours of backup power for the airport and Coast Guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the basic details about this microgrid:<\/p>\n\n\n\n