Micro-Grids, Research Paper Example

Benefits and values

Micro-grids implies to the power systems with capabilities for autonomous operation through combining the technology of conventional generators. The reliability of micro-grids is one important benefit and value as they reduce emissions, save fuels as well as increase reliability. Majority of the outages in electric service can be attributed to disturbances that are commonly caused to the system of electric distribution. These outages can easily be avoided through articulately locating the electric generation as well as storage at the location of the end user. The use of micro-grid can achieve this objective through integration of technologies such as automated switch gear, renewable systems of power as well as load management. fuel savings that is offered by micro-grids is a source of economies of scale thus they create economic advantage. Through the use of renewable power, micro-grids reduce consumption of diesel and hence environmental impacts are also reduced.

Concerns and problems

Although the grid can be a good alternative in the integration of small scale energy distribution in systems of low voltage electricity, it is associated with some hindrances in the course of its implementation. The energy sector lacks a clear as well as meaningful regime in carbon regulation that leads to ineffectiveness of micro-grids implementation. There is also a problem of coalescing the development of micro-grids in to the global market by the energy regulatory authority, however, some legislative activities  in military applications are in place that makes the grid to be promising in the future market opportunities. Majority of the investments that are made in the energy sector with regard to the deployment of the smart grid are on course but there lacks sufficient emphasis on the deployment as well as developments at the micro-grid level