Joint Agency Workshop Examines Ways to Commercialize Microgrids

The California Energy Commission hosted the first in a series of joint agency workshops aimed at developing a roadmap that will chart a path towards the commercialization of microgrids in California.

Microgrids are small-scale electrical systems that provide and manage power independent of the larger electric grid. They are used to support facilities with critical energy needs like hospitals, industrial complexes or university campuses. Many microgrids incorporate clean energy resources such as solar photovoltaics and can store energy using batteries and other technologies.

During the May 24 workshop, representatives from the Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Independent System Operator discussed how stakeholders including utilities, microgrid owners and manufacturers can help address barriers hindering the wide-scale deployment of microgrid technologies.

Commercializing microgrid technology to make it even more widespread and readily available will play an important part in helping California meet its clean energy goals because microgrids help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support grid reliability and facilitate higher levels of distributed generation.

The Energy Commission has funded several microgrid projects throughout the state including at Twentynine Palms Marine Base, the community of Borrego Springs near San Diego and the Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County.

To see more projects, visit the Energy Commission’s new Energy Innovations web page.