The idea of energy autonomy – autonomous energy generation, generally through renewable sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal power – is increasing in popularity as people realize they can no longer completely rely on an aging grid. Businesses, healthcare facilities, schools, and entire municipalities are taking steps in this direction by adopting microgrids and distributed energy resources (DER).
The microgrid market is growing rapidly, at an estimated compounded annual growth rate of 18.5% between 2024 and 2030. Typically, a microgrid includes two key components in addition to DERs: a battery energy storage system (BESS) and a software management system. Energy management software often applies AI to monitor the microgrid in real-time, anticipating demand and optimizing energy storage and usage. On a global scale, AI holds great promise in mitigating the effects of human-caused climate change, and according to one estimate, AI has the potential to provide insights that could reduce as much as 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Unlike traditional backup power, today’s microgrids are intelligent, with a software management system that oversees energy storage, generators, and systems. Software can strategically balance resources based on pre-set priorities for the microgrid — for example, achieving minimum environmental impact or lowest-possible energy costs.
When AI is utilized within a software management system, businesses maximize energy reliability and resilience in several important ways. AI tools can comb through streams of data in real-time, recommending decisions based on trends and forecasts. AI speeds up processes and allows microgrid operators to automate tasks like demand prediction, load optimization, and resource allocation management. Here are a few areas where AI represents a paradigm shift in energy management:
Because of its ability to anticipate energy needs and balance loads, AI empowers businesses to minimize downtime and ensure seamless energy transitions between DERs and the public grid. AI can also be very beneficial to utilities, with advantages for grid operators such as predictive load forecasting and increased flexibility to manage supply and demand across grid networks.
Because AI helps energy systems achieve new efficiencies, its benefits are promising for organizations and businesses wanting to move toward energy autonomy, cut costs, and reach Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Some financial benefits of energy autonomy include:
Let’s consider a few organizations that are building energy resiliency and working toward energy autonomy — and the benefits they’ve already seen:
Erie County Public Works implemented a microgrid and resiliency solutions project for the Erie County Department of Public Works with the goal of increasing power reliability and delivering on sustainability goals for more than 50 of their facilities across Western New York. The initiative includes cost-effective power generation with a new rooftop solar array at the Edward A. Rath County Office Building, a 16-story structure housing many of the county’s public offices. Paired with e2Companies’ R3Di® System, this solution creates a self-sustaining microgrid with uninterruptible, conditioned power, increasing energy resiliency and flexibility for the public utility during power outages and emergency grid conditions.
Wayne Patrick, a consumer products company in Ontario, Canada, adopted a turnkey microgrid solution consisting of two 650 KW generators and two 500 KW energy storage systems in a self-contained unit. By incorporating the R3Di® as an energy source, the company has the ability to save an estimated $500,000 CAD per year on energy costs. In addition to providing more reliable, sustainable energy, the natural gas (NG) generators reduce the company’s CO2 and NOx emissions, reducing the overall carbon footprint in relation to diesel.
With a turnkey microgrid solution such as R3Di®, energy autonomy is within reach. The R3Di® is a utility-grade, onsite power generation system that delivers conditioned, uninterrupted power and relies on a self-contained, turnkey power platform installed without requiring an interconnection agreement or costly public utility upgrades. By seamlessly integrating grid, renewable, and backup power, R3Di® is capable of providing instantaneous full-load pickup in the event of an outage and sustaining power during long-duration blackouts.
The R3Di® comes with a management platform, Grid Response Optimization of Virtual Energy (Grove), that empowers you to uncover savings with the help of our energy management team. The Grove monitors weather models, market pricing, grid conditions, and your energy assets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The software system uses historical data and advanced analytics to predict peak demand times — so you can avoid increased charges. Our team of subject matter experts oversees your asset and energy consumption, offering insightful research and reporting, optimization, maintenance, and service as needed. In our expanding partnership with Keyfive, we also provide AI-driven monitoring and digital twin technology to transform data management and enable smarter real-time energy decisions.
Take a step toward energy autonomy. Learn more about how the Grove and the R3Di® together can assist your organization with greater energy optimization, reliability, and resiliency.