Siemens has launched its new Microgrid Software as a Service (MSaaS) designed for smaller power operators like university campuses, industrial and commercial sites, municipalities, and utilities who intend to service to multiple microgrid endusers.
The software, a remotely-hosted Spectrum PowerTM Microgrid Management System (MGMS) control solution, allows microgrid operators to dynamically manage and control distributed energy resources with integrated weather and load forecasting. This solution also removes the need to host IT infrastructure on-site.
With this hosted software service, small power operators will experience improved grid resiliency, better power quality and greater ability to add sustainable power sources to their energy mix at a more affordable cost all with easier implementation.
“As the energy landscape continues to change, we understand that technology must evolve with the shifting needs of power operators and producers both large and small,” said Mike Carlson, president of Siemens Digital Grid. “By hosting our advanced microgrid control software in a secure data center, we can lessen the financial and physical burden of building a microgrid and, in turn, make the idea of stable power from distributed generation a reality for power operators of any size.”
By removing the need for long on-site deployments and ongoing maintenance, power operators large and small can now have access to a powerful microgrid system. Siemens will host the microgrid management software at a secure data center facility and its personnel will monitor and maintain the system 24/7, though overall operation of the microgrid system is still executed by the asset owner/operator through a web-based user interface. The software is built to easily integrate into existing on-site software including building automation systems, renewable generation sources, and includes advanced physical and cyber security measures.
The MGMS technology enables microgrid operators to dynamically tailor their generation sources to their power loads by minimizing cost and emissions. Operators can plan power generation based on energy market price forecasts from 15 minute to hourly increments and up to day-ahead horizons. This allows microgrid operators to achieve full economic value from the microgrid while maintaining their traditional base load needs and minimizing carbon footprint. The control software is responsible for microgrid operation while connected or disconnected from the utility grid and can interface with local utility systems to ensure the utility control systems (EMS/DMS) and the microgrid control systems work together efficiently and reliably.
