MICROGRID TECHNOLOGY

REACH Innovation Centers advanced technologies offer Energy Independence through its Campus Sustainability Initiative by the implementation of Microgrid Technology innovation and integration.  This is preceded by an evaluation of available natural energy resources such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and more.

A grid is an energy system that connects homes, businesses and other buildings within a city to central power sources, allowing us to use appliances, heating/cooling systems and electronics.  

A Microgrid is a local energy grid that can be powered by distributed energy generation, batteries, and/or renewable resources like solar panels.  They allow communities to be more energy independent and more environmentally friendly.  A Microgrid can power a single facility, or a larger area, to produce the same amount of energy it consumes, or provide surplus energy to the larger grid.

Microgrid Technology solutions are a paradigm of distributed operation of electric power systems, sustainable energy independence, enhancement of power system economics, resilience, and reliability that allow campuses to function as an independent energy island.  REACH and its project development team identify available renewable energy resources, and deploy energy efficient Microgrid, renewable energy technologies that seamlessly shift partner campuses toward:

  • Energy Independence, storage, and reliance
  • Peak load reduction
  • Elimination of blackouts
  • Substantial savings and favorable long-term return on investment

These critical components allow campuses to transition into a sustainable future.   Ultimately, Microgrids can even offer backup support to adjacent and nearby systems as needed.

Smart Microgrid technology provides an additional level of innovation, with the capability to be self-healing, learning, and self-aware.  Smart Microgrid Technology systems incorporate the following:

  • Self-Healing
  • Demand Response
  • Energy Planning
  • Data Analytics
  • And more…

REACH initiates the design and integration of customized energy and Microgrid technology to address the global energy crisis and in the pursuit of global sustainability.  

Some Microgrid applications are:

  • College and University Campuses
  • Medical Campuses
  • Faith-Based Community Campuses
  • Government Facilities and Municipal Complexes
  • Villages and Municipalities
  • Military Bases
  • Indian Reservations
  • Sports Facilities Complexes
  • Commercial and Residential Developments
  • Prison Complexes

The REACH Methodology includes five phases: 

five-phase-methodolog

Our business model is to develop, build, operate and maintain each new REACH Power Generation System such that the Utility-Grade Power Plant, Commercial, Industrial or Residential Community partner becomes the recipient of a uniquely designed system specifically for their environment and needs that integrates various Energy Efficiency Technologies with Renewable Green Energy Microgrid Technology applications to ensure the greatest available energy demand reduction solutions and use of available natural resources to generate energy. These critical components will enable partner campuses to transition into a sustainable future consisting of energy independence, storage, and reliance; peak load reduction; elimination of blackouts; and favorable long-term ROI.

REACH Guiding Principals

  • Solutions for reducing electricity demand growth and flattening peak demand;
  • Implementing a systems approach using innovative products in a cost-effective manner; and
  • Pursuing whole-building (zero energy buildings) and advanced-component policies to initiate a fundamental shift in the way energy is consumed.

Buildings are the largest energy-consuming sector in the world, and account for over one-third of total final energy consumption and an equally important source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Upon completion of an Energy Efficiency feasibility study of the specific physical plant needs of the campus facilities, a development plan including an Energy Efficiency Agreement (ESA), Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Equipment Lease or other financial structure will be crafted to deploy a custom-engineered Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy system using advanced technology integration Microgrid approach. Our business model is designed to eliminate the need for any material front-end development expense by the client.

For academic campuses, the new Microgrid system will be used as a case study for educational development, technology transfer and workforce training.