Capacity of Planned and Operating Microgrids Continues to Grow

May 14th, 2012 by Joshua S Hill

A new report shows that, as of the second quarter of 2012, the number of microgrids either planned, proposed or currently operating has continued to increase, representing a 54 percent increase over planned and operating capacity identified in the fourth quarter of 2011.

“Microgrids are rapidly moving beyond pilot projects and into commercial applications and developments,” says senior analyst Peter Asmus. “With more than 85 new projects added since the fourth quarter of 2011, and total planned, proposed, and operating capacity now exceeding 2.5 gigawatts, it is clear that momentum in this segment of the smart grid landscape is accelerating.”

The report by Pike Research shows that, as of the second quarter of 2012, there are 87 new microgrids either planned, proposed or in current operation, totaling over 2,575 megawatts in capacity.

Since the last tracker report conducted by Pike Research, North America has seen more than 50 new projects come to light, which will boost the overall planned capacity in the region to 1,500 megawatts in the second quarter of 2012, up 51 percent from the 1,026 megawatts identified in Pike Research’s fourth quarter 2011 update.

But depending on the definition of ‘microgrid’, remote systems could lead the global microgrid market in terms of revenue by 2018. And with the global rise of diesel fuel and the drop in solar photovoltaic prices, these remote systems have become very popular throughout the developing world.

Source: Pike Research
Image: microgrid diagram courtesy Distributed Energy

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Tags: Developing Countries, developing countries electricity, developing countries microgrids, diesel, microgrid, microgrids, quickies, solar photovoltaic, Solar PV

About the Author

Joshua S Hill I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.