GE’s Microgrid Control System is an energy management control solution designed to optimize dispatch of distributed energy resources and to provide load balancing in a local power distribution network. In a microgrid system with renewable and fossil fuel power generation, the control system improves the management of distributed generators, energy storage and associated loads increasing renewable energy utilization while reducing fossil fuel consumption. GE’s Microgrid Control System can be used in off-the-grid rural communities as well as grid-connected applications such as military, industrial and commercial microgrids.

Environmental Benefits

GE’s Microgrid Control System is designed to increase renewable energy utilization and reduce fossil fuel consumption within a microgrid. In one off-the-grid Canadian community with a combination of hydro and diesel generators, GE’s Microgrid Control System is projected to reduce annual diesel fuel consumption by approximately 80,000 gallons, avoiding 810 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of approximately 90 cars per year on Canadian roads.

Operating Benefits

GE’s Microgrid Control System is designed to increase renewable energy utilization and reduce fossil fuel consumption within a microgrid. In one off-the-grid Canadian community with a combination of hydro and diesel generators, GE’s Microgrid Control System is projected to reduce generation from diesel generators by approximately 20% while increasing the use of hydro generators for community energy needs. This is expected to result in annual diesel fuel savings of up to 80,000 gallons and an annual savings of C$360,000 per year in fuel costs at C$4.52 per gallon.