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The future of energy management

Microgrids – power generation made smart

Microgrids are a reliable alternative wherever a stable power supply is needed. Siemens can leverage its comprehensive microgrid portfolio and tackle challenges throughout the entire system.

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Microgrids in 200 seconds
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Microgrids – right on trend

Efficient, resilient, and sustainable distributed energy systems

Two major trends are driving the transformation of the energy world: digitalization and the shift from centralized unidirectional to distributed energy systems. These trends as well as prosumers’ needs are driving the development of microgrids.

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Always an intelligent solution

Microgrids contain all the elements of complex energy systems, they maintain the balance between generation and consumption, and they can operate on and/or off grid. They are ideal for supplying power to remote or poorly developed regions with no connection to a public network. In addition, more and more industrial operators are using microgrids to produce the electricity they need cost-effectively, sustainably, and reliably.

 

Microgrids use a variety of energy sources, including photovoltaic and wind-power plants as well as small hydro-power and biomass-power plants. Biodiesel generators and emergency power units, storage modules, and intelligent control systems ensure the security of supply.

 

Siemens provides a comprehensive portfolio of products, solutions, and services to help build and operate microgrids of any size. They provide generation and distribution of electrical energy as well as monitoring and controlling of microgrids.

 

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Benefits at a glance

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1. Economics and energy efficiency

Using sophisticated software, operators can optimize power usage based on demand, utility prices, and other factors. Application areas most impacted are campuses and commercial and industrial areas.
Watch the video about Algonquin College in Ontario/Canada, where a microgrid helps pave the way to becoming a sustainable institution of the future.

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2. Reliability and resilience

Microgrids are designed to provide uninterrupted 24/7 power and to balance load demands for an organization with changing power needs. Relevant applications are critical infrastructures, military institutions, commercial and industrial areas, remote locations and islands.
This video of the Native American reservation Blue Lake Rancheria in California/USA provides interesting insights.

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3. Sustainability

By using primarily renewable energies, microgrids reduce carbon-dioxide emissions, which is often required by government regulations. That makes them especially attractive for campuses, utilities, and islands.
Ventotene Island in Italy demonstrates the benefits of a microgrid in terms of sustainability.

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Take a look at our latest technology

Island grid and resynchronizing – Black start – Controlling and optimizing the operation of an island grid: Watch our three trailers, and find out how our microgrid solutions stand the test on location.

Trailer "Island grid": Solution manager Jeremy Wiles explains how the Siemens microgrid automation solution controls and optimizes the operation of an island grid.
Trailer "Black start": The Siemens microgrid automation solution provides efficient, stable, and fully automatic operation of island grids. One of its functions is the black start after a blackout. Solution manager Jeremy Wiles explains how it works.
Trailer "Island grid and resynchronizing": Microgrids can be separated from the main grid if the main grid is at risk of an outage. Siemens Senior Key Expert Markus Reischböck explains how this works and how the island grid is resynchronized after the danger has been averted.
Download our interactive PDF and access compact knowledge about microgrids and our portfolio.
Download Microgrid iPDF

Mastering all challenges

One offering for distributed energy systems

To integrate distributed energy systems (DES), we support you in several steps to reach the most efficient system. Define and simulate, integrate the right controller, monitor and improve the system. Several portfolio elements helps you create a microgrid solution that meets your requirements perfectly.

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We will work with you to design and deliver a comprehensive, and integrated microgrid solution for your energy infrastructure project. Our proven expertise with complex decentralized energy sources, leading control systems, and transmission and distribution systems, along with our suite of services, make us an ideal partner for stakeholders.

Learn more about the components of our Microgrid offering:

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1. From simulation with an energy twin to solution benefits

The first process step is the energy twin as a simulation of the entire microgrid project using virtually integrated control modules. What’s more, we evaluate the DES baseline and solution benefits.

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2. The right controller for your microgrid

The scope and design of your microgrid determines the appropriate controller to implement. With SICAM Microgrid Controller and Spectrum Power MGMS, Siemens offers the right product for any application.
 

SICAM Microgrid Controller

SICAM Microgrid Controller ensures reliable monitoring and controlling of microgrids. It protects your independent power supply from blackouts and balances out grid fluctuations and fluctuations in power consumption.  

> Learn more

 

Spectrum Power MGMS

Spectrum Power MGMS is a software solution for optimal microgrid management and control. Some of its advanced functions include seven-day load and generation forecasting, unit commitment optimization, load shed, seamless transition to and from island mode, and market participation tools.  

> Learn more

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3. Data gathering and monitoring with performance analytics and management for Distributed Energy Resources (DER)

DER Performance Analytics and Management is an IoT energy management platform from Siemens. In a self-contained energy system, it gathers relevant DER data, supports the reporting of KPIs, and provides benchmarking data analytics. During EXPO 2015 in Milan, Italy, Siemens managed the entire smart city with this application. It covered not only the grid technologies but also smart building, smart lighting, and electric mobility.

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4. Operational improvement through data analysis

Attaining data is good, but not enough. We want our customers to extract the most value from it. Siemens Managed Services supports customers to analyze the data with powerful tools. Based on the analysis, we provide recommendations to improve the operational efficiency system and suggest structural changes. Once the improvements have been identified, the recommended changes can be simulated and the savings can be quantified.

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What’s new about microgrids?

Here’s where we provide the most up-to-date news and events on microgrids. Stay tuned for the latest information.

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San Antonio, USA  

One more award for Blue Lake Rancheria

POWERGRID International Magazine honored the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe with the highly regarded 2018 POWERGRID International and DistribuTECH Projects of the Year award for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Integration. 

 
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Blue Lake, USA  

Blue Lake Rancheria is awarded

On September 28, 2017, the Federal Emergency Management Agency selected the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe to receive the 2017 John D. Solomon Whole Community Preparedness Award. The award honors proactive efforts to address emergency preparedness challenges.

 
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Belém, Brazil  

12 Microgrids to improve energy supply

Siemens will design and install twelve microgrids in the Brazilian state of Pará. For a central control center in Belém, Siemens will deliver the automation, protection and control technology to improve the analysis of plant data and thus increase the availability and reliability of the plants.

 
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Mars, Outer Space  

A microgrid for Mars?

Are we exploring the possibility of supplying energy for civilization on the Red Planet? Well, based on our innovative and visionary spirit, it surely could be. Get the background on this phantastic story.

 
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New York, USA  

A blockchain microgrid for Brooklyn

LO3 Energy, a young New York company, is working with Siemens Digital Grid and Siemens’ startup financer next47 to test a microgrid in Brooklyn. Neighbors with and without photovoltaic systems are buying and selling solar power from each other on a so-called blockchain platform that automatically documents each transaction. If a hurricane should hit, this isolated network would operate self-sufficiently. The project is a pioneer in the movement toward a distributed energy supply system that draws on renewably generated sources.

 
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Erlangen, Germany  

Microgrid laboratory

At Siemens’ microgrid laboratory in Erlangen, engineers are testing advanced solutions for regional medium- and low-voltage structures. The equipment includes a digital synchronous generator, a battery storage system including an inverter, two emulation systems based on three inverters, adjustable loads, a controllable transformer, and a circuit breaker. Various processes are demonstrated: on- and off-grid, fault identification, black-start capability, and synchronization with the superimposed network.

 
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Tallin, Estonia  

End-to-End Cyber Security

Power supply reliability is more important than ever before – on all voltage levels, from the point of grid infeed all the way to the consumer. Discover solutions from Siemens that help establish highly resilient power systems that immediately recover from disruptive events and adapt to impending threats and dangers. 

 
USA  

Mapping America’s future

All across the country, universities, manufacturers, utilities and communities are realizing they have more control over how they manage their energy than they ever thought possible. Explore some of the new technologies that are redefining industry benchmarks in the U.S.

 
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Wildpoldsried, Germany  

The new core of the energy system

Wildpoldsried is the location of a field test for the transition to renewable energy in Germany. The small village utilizes Siemens’ microgrid technology to incorporate renewables for energy self-sufficiency.

 
Wunsiedel, Germany  

The cellular approach: smart energy region

The energy region Wunsiedel in southern Germany uses its territory to field-test intelligently connected decentralized systems to qualify and release secure solutions in energy supply.

 

Microgrids operating successfully – worldwide

All over the world, organizations and communities with a need for dependable energy are looking to the microgrid as an efficient, powerful, and ingenious solution. Advanced Siemens technology can contribute significantly to their successful operation. Here are some examples.

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Blue Lake Rancheria | California, USA

A microgrid on a Native American reservation

A typical application for the microgrid use case “Municipality”

A microgrid powers a 100-acre reservation including offices, casino, hotel, and Red Cross safety shelter 

Siemens’ microgrid management software allows  the distributed energy resources to be intelligently managed
Link to Web feature
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Algonquin College | Eastern Ontario, Canada

A unique spirit of partnership

A typical application for the microgrid use case “Campus”

The College of Applied Arts in Technology is on an ambitious journey to becoming a sustainable institution of the future

With Siemens, it found a partner to help educate, operate, collaborate, and innovate for a clean energy future
More information
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Buenavista del Cobre | Cananea, Mexico

A reliable grid can move mountains

A typical application for the microgrid use case “Industry”

Using a Siemens control system, a copper mine realized a 60 percent reduction in downtime and significant cost savings

Siemens constructed a new state-of-the-art DCC that integrates the Spectrum Power grid control platform

Link to website
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Ventotene Island | Italy

How to optimize an island’s power supply

A typical application for the microgrid use case “Islands”

A SIESTORAGE battery storage system secures the power supply on the Italian island of Ventotene

The solution enables the more economical and efficient operation of the entire energy system

Link to Website
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IREN2 | Wildpoldsried, Germany

Smart technology combined with science

A typical application for the microgrid use case “Municipality”

Ingenuity meets pioneering spirit: The first microgrid test of its kind outside the laboratory

The village set up stable grids with a functioning electricity supply from a range of renewable sources

Link to Website
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Expo 2015 | Milan, Italy

The art of setting up a smart grid

A typical application for the microgrid use case “Cities”

At Expo 2015 Siemens delivered the intelligent grid technology that supplied the fair with electricity

The energy management system was based on sophisticated cloud technology
Link to press release
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Savona University | Genoa, Italy

IQ power for tomorrow’s dottore

A typical application for the microgrid use case “Campus”

Implement an intelligent microgrid for the university campus in Savona, Italy

Goal: Provide electrical and thermal energy. Benefits: High efficiency and grid stability, lower emissions, easy control
Watch trailer

Do you have any questions about microgrids and our products?

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