Electricity is one of the pillars of modern society and interior spaces depend on electrical equipment to maintain adequate occupancy conditions. Remove the power supply and the lighting and HVAC will shut down. Unfortunately, our power grids are vulnerable to storms, and this is evidenced by the blackouts affecting New Jersey this week.
Transmission and distribution networks are exposed to the elements, but there is an economic limit to their robustness. Towers and poles are designed to withstand the weight of power lines and normal weather conditions, but making them structurally stronger would be cost prohibitive, increasing electricity rates.
A more effective approach to reducing the impact of storms is to improve the resilience of individual buildings; There are many ways to make a building or group of buildings less dependent on the electrical grid. This article describes many promising approaches.
Identify opportunities to improve your building’s resilience.
Natural Gas Generators
Standby generators typically run on diesel, which comes with a significant disadvantage. Power supply depends on diesel supply, which can be compromised during adverse weather conditions. Gas generators do not have this limitation, as natural gas is delivered through underground pipes as a public utility service. Given the risks of allowing a massive gas leak, pipe networks are buried and extremely robust and, as a result, are rarely affected by storms.
During a blackout, a building with a diesel generator will only have power for as long as the diesel tank lasts. On the other hand, a building with a natural gas generator can continue to produce its own electricity indefinitely. Just remember that the device must be installed on a floor where it will not be affected by floods.
Regardless of the type of generator, large amounts of heat are exhausted. The concept of combined heat and power (CHP) consists of recovering this heat for space heating, domestic hot water or any process that uses heat as an input.
Renewable Energy and Batteries
Although New York and New Jersey are not among the sunniest states, they offer excellent conditions for solar energy. Both states have incentive programs that improve the commercial scenario for a photovoltaic array. Electricity from the electricity grid is expensive in both states, well above the national average, which increases the value of each kilowatt-hour generated on its own.
By themselves, solar photovoltaic systems reduce energy costs, but they do not improve the resilience of buildings. Unlike a diesel or gas generator, where you control the power input, a photovoltaic panel depends on the availability of sunlight. The same logic applies to wind turbines since the input is also variable. However, the price of batteries has been decreasing in recent years and they are a promising complement to variable renewable energy sources.
Consider the case of South Australia, where 50,000 homes will be equipped with Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries, each with a power of 5 kW and a storage capacity of 13.5 kWh. Adding all systems, the capacity is 250 MW and 675 MWh. All systems will be connected to a computer platform that will manage them as a “virtual power plant”.
Microgrids
A microgrid is a smaller version of a power grid, typically connected to the utility but capable of autonomous operation. Microgrids are suitable for groups of buildings, such as commercial enterprises or industrial complexes. If the power supply from the main grid is interrupted, the microgrid simply disconnects and operates on its own.
Microgrids are built by equipping several buildings with measures such as those described previously: natural gas generators, renewable energy systems and battery packs. The buildings are then interconnected by a small-scale electrical network.
The role of energy efficiency
Energy efficiency does not directly improve resilience. However, an efficient building can become self-sufficient much more easily than an inefficient building.
Individual buildings can use their capital more efficiently if they prioritize energy efficiency before power generation. If the building is first made efficient, generation systems can be scaled down and installed with less capital.
When many large buildings reduce their energy footprint, power grid and gas pipe capacity is freed up. This way, utility companies can better serve their customers while delaying infrastructure upgrades that would increase the price of electricity and gas.
Conclusion
Distributed energy resources make buildings more resilient while easing the burden on electrical grids. However, consider that energy-related projects typically involve large investments. Professional guidance is strongly recommended to develop the best energy strategy for your property – an energy audit can help you identify the most promising opportunities.
