The modern-day energy production and distribution system is intricate in design and complex in execution. Our cities, our towns, and our homes are all connected to centralized grids that consolidate electricity from power plants and distribute them over long distances.
However, centralized grids are highly inefficient and unreliable. There is energy loss in transit and a breakdown in the grid can blackout multiple cities at a time. We are not only wasting significant amounts of energy, on top of generating electricity using non-renewable sources, we are also one natural calamity away from losing power in our homes, schools, hospitals, and more, all at once for extended periods.
As the world starts making the switch to clean, renewable energy sources, it is clear that we must also adapt the way we distribute electricity and catalyze the transition to clean energy.
Microgrids are the key to doing just that.
The Future of Energy Distribution
Microgrids are energy distribution systems that serve smaller areas, powered by multiple energy sources at a time. They have been around for some time but only recently have we realized their true potential in accelerating the use of renewable energy at a mass level.
There are two keys ways in which microgrids are positioned to act as catalysts of the green revolution. They are firstly designed to function in a way that minimizes energy loss. Microgrids serve smaller areas, which means smaller transmission distances and consequently, reduced loss of energy. Most microgrids also have onsite electricity generation systems in place, which minimizes line losses.
Advancements in technology have allowed recent microgrid installations to also gauge, track, and actively manage electricity demand. This reduces delays and prevents excess transmission, both of which result in higher efficiency that is translated into lower electricity prices. This dual combination allows for maximum electrification and expansion of the electricity grid using renewable energy with minimum investment. As I see it, that’s a win-win for all.
In fact, microgrids can be programmed to automatically manage and control resources to meet specific energy goals. With microgrids, we are in the driver’s seat and can actively embark on the most efficient route to a more sustainable electricity grid, the key to powering the future with clean energy.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, microgrids are designed in a way that makes the use of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, more appealing. Both wind and solar energy can fluctuate with the weather, which has been a major barrier to even wider adoption of these energy sources. Microgrids solve this problem with software systems that can analyze weather data and predictions to control the production and distribution of electricity accordingly.
An additional, yet major, benefit of microgrids is their ability to continue powering their localities in cases of central grid failures and breakdowns due to extreme weather. Many microgrids are connected to the centralized grid but operate independently. In case of a central breakdown, they can separate themselves from the parent grid.
Are We There Yet?
The global microgrid market is expected to grow exponentially in the next few decades, and I predict the UAE will be at the forefront of embracing microgrids. In fact, the utilization of microgrid technology is already a part of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 as the country moves toward sustainable energy production.
Companies in the energy sector need to identify opportunities in this growing space and equip themselves with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships to capture them. For example, Al Masaood’s Power Division, one of the leading suppliers of decentralized energy systems in the Middle East, participated at the first ever 3D Virtual edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) in 2020 and shed light on smart microgrid solutions and their ability to transform the region’s energy sector.
All we need to make a microgrid system work effectively is a better regulatory framework, energy targets customized for microgrids set at the local level, and more public-private partnerships. I cannot wait to see and be a part of the developments that will take place in this space in the coming few years.