BoxPower system at school in Guayama, Puerto Rico.
Made-to-order microgrids are a recognized energy solution for large industrial, government and agricultural facilities. New more agile systems with pre-design and prefabrication are now expanding microgrid applications for small and midsize operations. BoxPower is one brand filling this niche with new integrated microgrid products that offer quick, affordable energy solutions and increased reliability to keep businesses running while reducing utility expenses.
What is a microgrid? A microgrid is a localized energy-generating grid that can disconnect from the traditional grid to operate autonomously. A microgrid consists of localized energy generation and, increasingly often, battery storage. Microgrids provide reliability as its chief value proposition. They can be standalone power sources, but generally work in conjunction with existing grid infrastructure. Microgrids eliminate grid disturbances, like power supply shutoffs, and can operate indefinitely, strengthening the overall power supply system.
BoxPower system at grocery store in Pilot Point, AK
Small businesses opportunity: Rural communities, small businesses, and manufacturing are now able to find flexible and affordable ready-to-install microgrid products. BoxPower CEO Angelo Campus is witnessing a rapid change in microgrid demand. “As outages increase across the country and world, the value of a microgrid is increasing rapidly,” says Campus. “This combined with the decreasing cost of inputs will cause the microgrid adoption to skyrocket.”
Products such as BoxPower’s microgrid systems are affordable because they lack the extensive design and engineering costs that typically make up a large portion of microgrid costs. BoxPower’s modular components create energy systems that are quickly and affordably scalable—allowing a lower start-up threshold. When connected to the grid, unused energy is stored in the battery and sold to the grid at the optimal time, offsetting the initial capital or financed cost.
The game-changer in the microgrid market is the pairing of a software design tool that rapidly optimizes products for each customer’s needs and turnkey, pre-engineered hardware products. “We can now scale standardized modular products, with an accurate way to quickly size systems for each customer,” says Campus. “The use of these technologies has enabled BoxPower to reach more customers than ever.”
Campus considers this a rare moment where energy demand, decreasing costs and environmental factors are dovetailing with new technologies. “We are able to allow customers to pick and choose what benefits they wish and then pre-fabricate accordingly for their needs. We can shave energy costs and do so in a way that brings solar and battery together for an optimal energy solution.”
— Solar Builder magazine
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.