Duke Energy’s first microgrid project operational on Schneider Electric Boston One Campus

Duke Energy Renewables’ first microgrid project has started operating on the Schneider Electric Boston One Campus in Andover, Massachusetts, US.

REC Solar, a company under Duke Energy Renewables, will be operating the solar array.

Schneider Electric will be purchasing power from Duke Energy, which owns the microgrid and solar array, through a long-term purchase agreement.

Duke Energy Renewables vice-president Chris Fallon said: “The integration of an advanced microgrid at the Schneider Electric campus reduces its energy costs, incorporates more sustainable energy and delivers demand-side efficiency, while also offering resiliency to the facility in the event of a loss of power from the grid.

“Additionally, in partnership with Schneider, we can research and develop new microgrid technologies, solutions and applications in a real-world environment.”

The microgrid will be generating around 520,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually.

The system features a 354kW (AC) solar array with 1,379 solar modules along with a natural gas generator as an anchor resource.

The natural gas generator will enable the solar panels to operate during grid outages to maintain critical operations.

Duke Energy Renewables, Schneider Electric and REC Solar have also teamed up to develop a second microgrid project for the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public Safety Headquarters and Correctional Facility.

The development of this second system is currently underway.

Duke Energy Renewables will own the two Montgomery County microgrids that include a 2-megawatt (AC) solar project and two combined heat and power (CHP) units.

Schneider Electric will design and implement the microgrid project while REC Solar will be responsible for the development and operations of this solar facility.

The project is expected to commence operations next year.

The Montgomery County microgrids will generate around 3.3 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy and 7.4 million kilowatt-hours of CHP each year, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,629 metric tonnes annually.