Nanogrids, the Building Blocks for Virtual Power Plants, Help Create a Sustainable Environment

This report reviews the opportunities for nanogrids in underserved communities, their various technology combinations, and how a solar plus storage nanogrid can be a win-win situation for prosumers and the electric grid. The report also evaluates nanogrids as building blocks for virtual power plants (VPPs) and energy communities, and looks at how regulatory and market adjustments can improve their adoption.

Table of Contents

1.Spark

2.Context

3.Recommendations

4.Nanogrids Provide a Timely Solution for the Clean Energy Transition

5.Various Technology Combinations Are Gaining Traction

• a.Solar Plus Storage Adds Resilience to Storage Solutions
• b.Solar and Green Hydrogen Improve Mobile Disaster Systems
• c.Solar-Wind Hybrid Systems

6.Nanogrids Provide Reliable and Affordable Power to Low Income Households

• a.Nanogrids Can Provide Energy Access to Rural Households
• b.Swarm Electrification Can Bring Reliable, Clean Power to Low Income Communities
• c.Nanogrids Can Enable Low Carbon Communities

7.Solar Plus Storage Nanogrids Offer a Win-Win for the Grid and the Consumer

• a.A Smart BESS Is More Than a Backup
• b.Nanogrids Can Help Resolve Variability Issues and Alleviate Public Safety Challenges

8.Nanogrids Need Attractive Business Models

• a.Pay-As-You-Go Assists Underserved Communities
• b.Bring-Your-Own-Device Allows Third Parties to Access Energy Storage
• c.Micro-Utilities Offer Reliable and Consistent Power

9.Utilities and Regulators Must Pave the Way for Nanogrids

• a.Advanced Tariff Structures Can Increase Nanogrid Adoption
• b.Regulatory Changes Are Needed to Boost Adoption of Nanogrid Technologies

10.Nanogrids Are the Building Blocks for VPPs

11.Energy Communities Are Gaining Significance