May 10, 2012
The year 2011 signaled a shift in the microgrid sector, as some of the first large-scale commercial microgrid projects reached significant milestones. With the adoption of newly created IEEE islanding standards in July 2011, the shift from pilot validation projects to fully commercial projects accelerated, as evidenced by the large jump in planned, proposed, and operating grid-tied microgrids in North America. According to a new tracker report from Pike Research, as of the second quarter of 2012 there are 87 new microgrids either planned, proposed, or in current operation, totaling over 2,575 megawatts (MW) in capacity. This represents a 54% increase over planned and operating capacity identified in the 4Q 2011 update from Pike Research.
“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.”
Globally, the rising costs of diesel fuel – along with the drop in solar photovoltaic (PV) prices – have contributed to a flurry of new commercial activity regarding remote microgrids throughout the developing world. Depending upon one’s definition of a microgrid, remote systems could lead the global microgrid market in terms of revenue by 2018. North America, however, continues to be the world’s most promising market for grid-tied microgrid projects, with more than 50 new projects coming to light since the last tracker update. These projects boosted overall planned capacity in North America to 1,550 MW in 2Q 2012, up 51% from 1,026 MW identified in Pike Research’s 4Q 2011 update.
Pike Research’s “Microgrid Deployment Tracker” provides a detailed and comprehensive database of worldwide microgrid projects. The tracker covers microgrids in five key segments: commercial/industrial, community/utility, institutional/campus, military, and remote systems. Deployments are segmented by world region, and the tracker includes details on generation capacity, power generation sources, facility type, and companies involved for each project. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.
Contact: Richard Martin
+1 303 997 7609