BoxPower utility microgrid project in Deering, Alaska demonstrates the type of microgrid that will be used in the California Energy Commission for their CATAPULT project, CATAPULT stands for “California Title 24 Advanced Power Utilization Technology.
The California Energy Commission awarded a $1.2 million grant to BoxPower, a provider of modular microgrid energy solutions, to further develop its software + hardware solution at 15 microgrid test sites in a diverse range of residential settings across California. The goal of this three-year project, under the designation of California Title 24 Advanced Power Utilization Technology, is to gain more insight into energy cost reduction strategies and increased energy resiliency. BoxPower seeks to drive cost reductions, open new cash flow opportunities for batteries and measure non-energy societal benefits, such as resiliency.
The key issue is the uncertainty: How a microgrid battery asset can be used to cover the initial investment. In the multi-megawatt commercial energy storage space, the latest business models provide multiple cash flow streams for batteries. For example, a battery can optimize financial return by using power stored in the battery during the most expensive time of use rate. Additional cash flow opportunities include frequency regulation and trading in multiple electricity markets.
“This project is a significant step in California microgrid adoption,” says Angelo Campus, BoxPower CEO and Co-founder. “We will collect concrete data and identify the best options for developing residential microgrid use and industry standards.”
Why BoxPower?
Customers in the past have used BoxPower’s modular microgrids in disaster relief, medical clinic, agriculture, remote power, and most recently, utility applications. This experience working with utilities will enable BoxPower to bring utility representatives into the research and testing process, ensuring the resulting solution works for all stakeholders.
BoxPower’s innovative approach to software design and process improvement combined with turnkey hardware and installation methods creates a repeatable and cost effective microgrid in rural areas. Microgrids are part of a move away from large-scale one-size fits all solutions to modern microservice architectures.
Modern Microservice Energy Solutions Offer:
● Distributed control
● Scalability of control
● Interactions between grid stakeholders in ways not previously possible
● Utility, operator and user interfaces
Watch for more news on microgrids as BoxPower begins work on this important California Energy Commission Project.
— Solar Builder magazine
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