HomeMy WebLinkAboutRexburg Microgrid Presentation
Camelio Roman Madsen
Sustainable Built Environments major with the University of Arizona Online
Microgrid Technology – What is it?
Microgrids generally consist of:
Electricity generation resources
Energy storage
Microgrid control systems
Figure 1. Picture of general microgrid setup [1]
There are offgrid/remote, grid-connected, and network/nested microgirds[1]
Applications:
Rural stability
Lifesaving access to power
Grid resilience
Grid stability
National Defense
Combat effectiveness
Microgrid Technology – What is it? continued
Microgrid Capacity
Depending on the purpose needed, microgrids can come in a variety of sizes.
Figure 2. Microgrid capacity based on energy stored [1]
Microgrid Costs
Average cost of $2-5 million per megawatt (MW) [1]
Cost varies based on location, size, and complexity [1]
Figure 3. Microgrid cost breakdown [1]
Energy resilience/reliability/security
Renewable energy
Energy cost savings
Energy efficiency and stability
Decentralized power
Grid support/stabilization
Environmental benefits[3]
Improved air quality
Positive net electricity[4]
Microgrid Benefits
Peak shaving
Load shifting[5]
Job generation
Business attraction[6]
Microgrid Benefits - continued
Microgrid Potential Location
Pieces work better closer together
Microgrids require energy storage
Pumped hydro storage
Lower Overall Costs
Longer Lifespan
Optimal for larger storage [7]
Figure 4. Potential Microgrid location
Pumped Hydro Storage
Energy storage provided by total PHS integration
Rexburg Average Daily Energy Consumption – 1,160 (imported) MWh
Rexburg Annual Energy Generated – 39,886 MWh
Rexburg Annual Energy Consumption – 423,707 (imported) MWh
Figure 5. Example of Pumped Hydro
Potential Renewable Energy Source Locations
To generate the daily 1,160 MWh needed
(kWp) Daily Energy (kWh)/PVOUT (kWh/kWp) = Capacity
1,160,000 kWh/4.18 kWh/kWp = 277,512 kWp
Total Area (m^2) = 804,784 kWp x 6m^2/kWp = 134,130m^2
3.27 days to charge
Figure 6. Outline is roughly the space needed for pv panels
Borrego Springs
Vulnerable community of 4,000
$5 million microgrid funded by California Energy Commission [8]
Price Edward Island Slemon Park Microgrid
10 MW solar facility
Government and private business funded [6]
Sterling, Massachusetts
$2.7 million system pays itself off in about two years
Funded by a grant from Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and U.S. DOE [9]
Microgrids – Extant Examples
Blaine County attempting to get a $287,000 federal grant to install a microgrid [10]
The RAPID MIB [11].
Can provide power from hydropower, solar panels, wind turbines, diesel generators, and even small nuclear reactors [12].
Microgrid – Idaho’s Interests
Microgrid Webbing – Thinking Towards Tomorrow
Microgrid webbing can be link together and combine into a larger aggregation of energy management [13]
Figure 7. Initial proposed Web
Figure 8. More integrated web
References
Department of Energy. (2024, January). Microgrid Overview Grid Deployment Office U.S. Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/. https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/2024-01-18%20Microgrid%20Overview%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
Bronec, A., & Bronec, N. (2023, August 31). Microgrids: A modern-day energy solution. SAME. https://www.same.org/tmearticle/microgrids-a-modern-day-energy-solution/#:~:text=Hydrogen%20storage%20and%20generation.,storage%20in%20the%20United%20States.
Dynapower. (2024, December 18). 10 benefits of using a Microgrid. https://dynapower.com/resource/infographic-10-benefits-of-using-a-microgrid/#:~:text=This%20enables%20cleaner%20and%20more,Decentralized%20Power%20Generation
Mooyman, J., & Wheeler, S. M. (2022, September 5). The feasibility of residential microgrids: a hypothetical neighborhood in Davis, California.
Consulting, L. (2025, September 9). Exploring microgrid benefits: Enhance efficiency and Sustainability. https://logic2020.com/insight/microgrid-benefits-and-advantages/#:~:text=Microgrids%20provide%20ample%20opportunities%20for,during%20periods%20of%20high%20demand.
Ameresco. (2025, August 8). How microgrids can boost economic development for a community and its residents. https://www.ameresco.com/how-microgrids-can-boost-economic-development-for-a-community-and-its-residents/#:~:text=Renewable%20microgrids%20attract%20businesses%20looking,to%20communities%20across%20the%20country.
Guruprasad1, P. S. M., Quaranta2, E., Coronado-Hernández3, O. E., & Ramos4, H. M. (2023, August 30). Hydropower advantages over batteries in energy storage of off-grid systems: A case
study. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/17/6309
CivicWell. (2022, July 20). Amid the power shutoff: Planning for a resilient future with microgrids. https://civicwell.org/civic-news/future-with-microgrids/#:~:text=Borrego%20Springs:%20Installing%20a%20small,of%20eastern%20San%20Diego%20County.
CESA. (2020, April 28). How One small US town will save millions with a microgrid. Clean Energy States Alliance. https://www.cesa.org/one-small-us-town-will-save-millions-microgrid/#:~:text=The%20Sterling%20Municipal%20Light%20Department%20(SMLD)%20in,pay%20itself%20off%20in%20about%20two%20years.
E. J. E. S., Power, C. I., & INL, G. courtesy. (2022, March 18). Blaine County leaders set sights on renewable-energy microgrid. Idaho Mountain Express Newspaper. https://www.mtexpress.com/news/blaine_county/blaine-county-leaders-set-sights-on-renewable-energy-microgrid/article_84abe454-a602-11ec-9a7a-8b465037f82c.html#:~:text=It%20can%20be%20thought%20of,said%20in%20a%20presentation%20Tuesday.
Water Power Technologies Office. (2024, March 14). Portable Microgrid technology can bolster small-town hydropower during power outages. Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/articles/portable-microgrid-technology-can-bolster-small-town-hydropower-during-power#:~:text=The%20Relocatable%20Resiliency%20Alternative%20Power%20Improvement%20Distribution,through%20its%20battery%20system%20for%20one%20hour
Maldonado, M. (2023, July 31). New INL technology can help support rural Idaho communities during power outages - idaho capital sun. Idaho Capital Sun. https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/new-inl-technology-can-help-support-rural-idaho-communities-during-power-outages/
Bielecki, S., Skoczkowski, T., & Wołowicz, M. (2025, November 2). Microgrids as a tool for energy self-sufficiency. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/21/6707