State of Minnesota Publishes
Microgrid Policy and Market Study
Microgrid Policy and Market Study
::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::
Dec. 3, 2013, : St. Paul, Minn. (USA): The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, formally announced the release of Minnesota Microgrids: Barriers, Opportunities, and Pathways Toward Energy Assurance, the 110-page final report of a study performed by a Microgrid Institute team. The project was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
“This report takes an in-depth look at regulatory barriers to and opportunities for microgrid development to enhance energy assurance in the state of Minnesota, with recommendations to address barriers and identify pathways to facilitate microgrid development,” stated Bill Grant, Deputy Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources. “Microgrids represent one of many tools available to policymakers, community leaders, and the energy industry to support grid reliability and the ability to maintain critical community services during emergencies.”
DER selected the Microgrid Institute team, managed by Burr Energy LLC, as a result of a competitive request for proposals (RFP) in June 2013. For the study, Microgrid Institute assembled a multidisciplinary group of professionals who collaborated to perform research and analysis. Team members include:
Additionally, the Microgrid Institute team drew upon the insights and contributions of more than 30 subject matter experts, from organizations ranging from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to Connecticut Light & Power and Xcel Energy.
“The Minnesota Microgrids report examines a range of issues affecting microgrid projects, with a special focus on those serving energy assurance and renewable energy goals,” Burr said. “In addition to helping Minnesota policymakers and stakeholders better understand microgrids and their drivers, we hope the Minnesota Microgrids report also will assist in efforts in other markets to create a more resilient and sustainable energy system.”
In addition to analyzing the history, status, and outlook for microgrids, the study provided policy recommendations intended to remove unnecessary barriers to microgrids and facilitate their optimization as part of the integrated utility grid. Specific recommendations include:
■ Setting and clarifying the role of microgrids in the State’s policy vision and priorities, and integrating that role in regional planning;
■ Removing or reducing regulatory barriers and artificial, outdated institutional impediments to microgrids;
■ Establishing statutory frameworks and processes supporting microgrids in the State’s utility planning and oversight roles; and
■ Initiating and supporting a microgrid pilot program.
“Taking these steps, the State of Minnesota can help ensure microgrids provide cost-effective and flexible solutions to address the State’s policy goals, and become available as tools for efficiency, reliability, and economic development with 21st-century technologies,” the report stated (p.12).
The Minnesota Microgrids final report is publicly available for download from the Minnesota Department of Commerce website, with links to both the main report and DNV KEMA’s market data report from Microgrid Institute’s “Resources” page here:
http://www.microgridinstitute.org/resources.html
ABOUT MICROGRID INSTITUTE: Microgrid Institute is a collaborative organization that addresses key issues affecting the development of microgrids and distributed energy assets around the world. Efforts focus on market development and analysis, regulatory and financial models, and project feasibility and structuring. Microgrid Institute is an independent initiative of Burr Energy LLC. For more information, see www.microgridinstitute.org
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“This report takes an in-depth look at regulatory barriers to and opportunities for microgrid development to enhance energy assurance in the state of Minnesota, with recommendations to address barriers and identify pathways to facilitate microgrid development,” stated Bill Grant, Deputy Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources. “Microgrids represent one of many tools available to policymakers, community leaders, and the energy industry to support grid reliability and the ability to maintain critical community services during emergencies.”
DER selected the Microgrid Institute team, managed by Burr Energy LLC, as a result of a competitive request for proposals (RFP) in June 2013. For the study, Microgrid Institute assembled a multidisciplinary group of professionals who collaborated to perform research and analysis. Team members include:
- Michael Burr (primary author), Principal, Burr Energy LLC and Director, Microgrid Institute
- Michael J. Zimmer, Partner, Thompson Hine LLP, and Washington Counsel, Microgrid Institute
- Walter Levesque, Director, DER and Microgrids, DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability
- John D. McDonald, IEEE Fellow
- Brian Meloy and James J. Bertrand, Partners, Leonard, Street & Deinard
- Guy Warner, CEO, Pareto Energy
Additionally, the Microgrid Institute team drew upon the insights and contributions of more than 30 subject matter experts, from organizations ranging from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to Connecticut Light & Power and Xcel Energy.
“The Minnesota Microgrids report examines a range of issues affecting microgrid projects, with a special focus on those serving energy assurance and renewable energy goals,” Burr said. “In addition to helping Minnesota policymakers and stakeholders better understand microgrids and their drivers, we hope the Minnesota Microgrids report also will assist in efforts in other markets to create a more resilient and sustainable energy system.”
In addition to analyzing the history, status, and outlook for microgrids, the study provided policy recommendations intended to remove unnecessary barriers to microgrids and facilitate their optimization as part of the integrated utility grid. Specific recommendations include:
■ Setting and clarifying the role of microgrids in the State’s policy vision and priorities, and integrating that role in regional planning;
■ Removing or reducing regulatory barriers and artificial, outdated institutional impediments to microgrids;
■ Establishing statutory frameworks and processes supporting microgrids in the State’s utility planning and oversight roles; and
■ Initiating and supporting a microgrid pilot program.
“Taking these steps, the State of Minnesota can help ensure microgrids provide cost-effective and flexible solutions to address the State’s policy goals, and become available as tools for efficiency, reliability, and economic development with 21st-century technologies,” the report stated (p.12).
The Minnesota Microgrids final report is publicly available for download from the Minnesota Department of Commerce website, with links to both the main report and DNV KEMA’s market data report from Microgrid Institute’s “Resources” page here:
http://www.microgridinstitute.org/resources.html
ABOUT MICROGRID INSTITUTE: Microgrid Institute is a collaborative organization that addresses key issues affecting the development of microgrids and distributed energy assets around the world. Efforts focus on market development and analysis, regulatory and financial models, and project feasibility and structuring. Microgrid Institute is an independent initiative of Burr Energy LLC. For more information, see www.microgridinstitute.org
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