Microgrid Metropolis
Clusters of Power
Can microgrids make cities more resilient in times of energy shortages and crumbling infrastructure? 🤔
That’s the question ‘Commonwealth Edison Electric’ is putting to the test in Bronzeville, a neighborhood just south of Chicago's business district.
Deemed "the Community of the Future", this project is the first utility-operated microgrid cluster, combining an existing microgrid at the Illinois Institute of Technology, with Bronzeville's network of rooftop solar panels, natural gas-fired generators, and batteries. ☀️
Together, the cluster will produce and store energy locally, serving commercial buildings, institutions, and over 1000 homes, with the added benefit to connect and disconnect from the city's power grid at will. 🌍
During outages, the microgrid cluster can remain functional and even sell power back to the city of Chicago.
Funded by a 4-million-dollar grant from the Department of Energy, the project succeeded amidst the hurdles.
City regulations and technical challenges prolonged the planning and testing phases, while stakeholders worked to ensure the sites were safe and blended into the historic feel of the surrounding community. 🏛️
With plans to install smart city interactive kiosks and EV charging stations, the Bronzeville microgrid will serve as a model for communities across America, to help all neighborhoods reach their clean energy and sustainability goals for many years to come. 🌱
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