For more than 20 years, a strong case has been made by both private and public organizations to transition to renewable energy—and the time has come to put it into action
America’s aging power grid is also becoming more difficult and costly to manage, as the available resources are sometimes strained or limited in their flexibility to meet demand during peak times. However, the opportunity to use DERs as a localized and flexible solution is quickly gaining support as it decreases pressure on large power grids’ transmission network. While this approach isn’t new, it is paving the way for the immediate future of meeting energy demand using microgrids that serve as standalone power sources or as hybrid power generation systems.
Temp-Pro has been working with renewable energy clients for as long as the term “renewable” was coined in the energy industry. The company’s broad range of temperature measurement devices has been a complementary component in an industry that operates a variety of power generation systems that involve industrial machinery that reaches extreme levels of heat. Such equipment is best monitored and managed with the aid of industrial thermometers like those Temp-Pro manufactures for both OEM and aftermarket applications.
Finding a cleaner alternative to conventional power generation sources using fossil fuels has long been a utopic goal for the Power Generation Industry. Politics aside, the world has seen renewable energy as “good business” that also generates support by the public that seeks to influence power companies across the U.S. The opportunity at hand calls for a better way to produce power that is environmentally-friendlier and cost-effective—and this is where microgrids come into play.
Microgrids offer the opportunity to generate power in a localized manner without long distances to be traveled to power buildings, facilities or residential communities. Often operating as a small-scale power station or as a hybrid element of a conventional and renewable energy source—such as solar energy—the concept of the microgrid offers an opportunity to use multiple Distributed Energy Resources or DERs in the quest to effectively manage energy production.
Here are some unique features of DER-based microgrids:
- Cleaner energy in an autonomous, localized area
- Lower carbon emissions than conventional energy
- Increasingly cheaper to generate power
- Growing customer demand
- Balanced supply-and-demand without creating a burden
DERs are usually composed of multiple systems that generate, store and distribute energy with increased flexibility than the more complex large-scale power grids. According to Guidehouse Insights, an energy industry-focused research organization, the revenue that will be generated by DER microgrids is expected to soar from just over $6B in the year 2020 to almost $28B before 2030.
The benefit most customers would see from microgrids is the diversification of power sources, which would make the customers of a microgrid less susceptible to the challenges of natural disasters or unforeseen events that could disrupt power on a large scale. By triggering a black start process in the event the larger grid goes offline, the nimble resources of the microgrid can quickly be powered up with small-scale batteries and ensure that hospitals, homes, or other facilities can remain operational quickly and effectively.
Temp-Pro is ready to serve the need of organizations or communities operating DER microgrids as part of their diversification of risk. Our expertise and knowledge in the design and manufacturing of industrial temperature measurement devices such as RTDs, Thermocouples, Wire Harness, Cable Assemblies, and Terminal/Electric Enclosures make Temp-Pro a valuable partner in the growing renewable energy efforts across the U.S.
Contact Temp-Pro today at 800-991-9093 and inquire about our microgrid-specific temperature measurement devices and related components. No project is to small and no big project is too complex for our team of temperature measurement experts.
Neal Messier is a dedicated sales manager at Temp-Pro. With 17+ years of experience working with instrumentation in diverse industrial and process industries particularly power generation, he is passionate about the temperature sensor industry and uses his strong technical background and comprehensive industry knowledge to fulfill client’s temperature sensor needs.
Nicole Chotain is a passionate marketing and sales specialist in the temperature sensor industry who finds it incredibly fulfilling to be involved in marketing and selling crucial components used in power generation and renewable energy. She takes great joy in creating remarkable campaigns, forging meaningful connections between Temp-Pro and its customers, and driving the growth of the brand.
