Software company pilots integrated grid
Open Access Technology International, a Minneapolis-based company that writes software to support the North American power grid and hosts the software at its company-managed data centers, is pioneering a microgrid powered by multiple sources.
The OATI Microgrid Technology Center features solar panels, wind turbines, a combined heat and power plant, and energy storage, all of which make it able to operate independently from the electric grid if needed. The company’s own GridMind software system is able to manage power distribution based on fluctuating factors such as weather, current energy prices and more.
That said, the demonstration site is not meant to operate independently from its local utility, but rather to enhance the relationship between the two, David Heim, OATI’s chief strategy officer, told American Gas.
“There’s been a huge uptick in demand for microgrids since Hurricane Sandy, when the facilities that remained online had microgrids,” Heim said. “We planned for a new data and office facility as part of our corporate growth and made the strategic decision to do a microgrid site that utilizes the best in breed from technology, generation and software.”
The new technology center remains connected to its energy provider, Xcel Energy, but the software allows it to draw from stored energy sources as well and provides a backup if Xcel’s grid should fail, Heim said.
CenterPoint Energy supplies the natural gas used to power the Capstone microturbine that, paired with an absorption chiller and heat exchanger, provides the technology center with a combined heat and power system, Heim said. The chiller, powered by heat generated from natural gas turbines, produces cold water that can be used to cool the building, thus saving on electricity.
“Without a doubt, natural gas will be a huge player in on-site generation in microgrid facilities,” Heim said. “By its nature, natural gas is a very stable source and excellent supplement to the local electric grid.”
The company sees great potential for other data centers and critical facilities such as hospitals to benefit from an “island” microgrid that is self-generating, can intelligently manage itself and is “greener” because of its ability to control how its power is generated and used, Heim said.