New Jersey Board of Public Utilities advances microgrid system development

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities moved forward with developing a proposal to build microgrids that could supply power to critical facilities like police and fire stations in the event power is lost during severe storms.

The board produced a report on microgrids that outlines advanced and town center distributed energy resources (TCDER) technologies and recommendations on policies that should be considered.

“Advanced and TCDER microgrid systems offer community critical facilities with increased resiliency and a platform to deploy onsite generation with new and emerging technologies,” said Richard Mroz, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  

Potential locations for TCDER microgrids would provide the greatest benefit for communities if the electric grid loses power due to damage from a major storm. Some potential locations include health care facilities, hospitals, police, fire and administrative facilities as well as facilities that serve as emergency shelters.

The report offered recommendations regarding how to develop microgrids, including how to use stakeholder input to implement microgrids and also study programs and financing programs.

The report examined current and projected DER cost trends that are impacting microgrid development, and the current status of microgrid development in New Jersey and other states.

The report said that based on a review of current microgrid projects, in general a TCDER microgrid can provide enhanced energy resiliency for critical customers at the local level as well as enhanced reliability and efficiency for usage of the distribution system grid.

“The TCDER microgrid can accomplish this with enhanced energy efficiency, clean energy generation including both renewables and natural gas combined heat and power, lower air emissions and other environmental impacts, as well as overall energy cost savings to the multiple critical customers,” the report said.