Québec’s first state-of-the-art microgrid finalised
A pioneering electric microgrid project that includes more than 2000 solar panels capable of generating nearly 700 kW of clean power has moved into operation in the Canadian town of Lac-Mégantic.
The state-of-the-art energy network incorporates a grid-forming battery energy storage system with ability to store approximately 600 kWh of energy, and hosts tools to manage the energy use of approximately 30 buildings in the downtown area of the Québec municipality.
In 2013, Lac-Mégantic suffered a catastrophic fossil fuel disaster which acted as a catalyst for the pursuit of greater sustainability across the region. Following the event, the town has worked with local utility provider Hydro Québec, civil engineering firm CIMA+ and energy software experts Smarter Grid Solutions to establish a ‘living lab’ as part of ambitions to transition to cleaner energy use, reduce carbon emissions, and increase local electricity resiliency.
The remote power system can be disconnected from the local grid and operate autonomously for hours. Moving clean technologies, like solar and battery storage, onto the microgrid system demonstrates greenhouse gas emissions reduction and provides a sustainable energy supply for buildings and utilities served by the system.
As part of the project, Smarter Grid Solutions deployed sophisticated software to provide microgrid control and distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) functionality. This includes the optimization and control of diverse above and behind the meter energy resources and the coordination between grid-connected and islanded modes.
Speaking at leading power distribution and transmission event DistribuTECH in Dallas, Texas on May 23rd, Director of Products at Smarter Grid Solutions Mark Jaggassar will detail the successful deployment of the company’s Strata Resilience software which has delivered microgrid and DERMS functionality, including the multi-purpose use of batteries and system ‘islanding’ that utilizes diverse flexible load and generation assets as well as the battery energy storage.
Ahead of the event, Mr Jaggassar said: “DistribuTECH is the ideal platform to shine a spotlight on the real-world solutions which are helping to connect more renewable energy devices to electricity grids throughout North America and across the world.”
“As we progress through 2022, the international community still has a long way to go if the carbon-reduction commitments made last year at COP26 are to be delivered by the middle of the century. Innovative technology like our Strata Resilience software deployed in Lac-Mégantic is already allowing power network operators and energy asset owners to lead the way on both decarbonisation and electricity resiliency.”
Smarter Grid Solutions was acquired by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. (MEPPI) in August 2021. Both companies will be exhibiting during DistribuTECH - hosted at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas TX - between 23rd - 25th May, providing information, products, and services related to electricity delivery automation and control systems, energy efficiency, demand response and renewable energy integration.
