Are microgrids that are not interconnected to utility grids (islanded) appropriate to power data centers? Islanded microgrids may be very beneficial to single owner data centers or other mission critical facilities. This column discusses considerations, including legal considerations that relate to an independent microgrid as distinct from a microgrid that operates synchronously with the utility grid.
Although there are variations in microgrid structures, the type considered in this column is an energy generation and distribution system established and operated by the owner of a facility, which has definable physical boundaries. While technical details are beyond the scope of this discussion, briefly stated, the energy distributed by the microgrid can include electricity, gas, steam, and gas and thermal energy. A typical microgrid includes energy generation units, energy consuming facilities, power storage units, monitoring, and integrated control equipment to coordinate elements of the system. Often a combined heat and power (CHP) unit is the heart of the microgrid which, together with boilers, produces electric and thermal energy.