How much does energy storage cost a microgrid?

In commercial/industrial and utility microgrids, soft costs (43% and 24%, respectively) represent significant portion of the total costs per megawatt. Finally, energy storage contributes significantly to the total cost of commercial and community microgrids, which have percentages of 25% and 15%, respectively, of the total costs per megawatt.

How much does a microgrid cost?

Or as S&C Electric’s David Chiesa puts it: “If you’ve seen one microgrid you’ve seen one microgrid.” So there is no quick and simple price to give a prospective customer. Sources we’ve interviewed cite project proposals as low as $250,000 to as high as $100 million. Generation typically accounts for most of the cost.

How much new generation is needed for microgrids?

The winners of the Stage 1 competition called for an average of 64% new generation, which is slightly less than the average of 71% new generation for microgrids in the community segment in the NREL cost database.

Is a microgrid more expensive than a small solar array?

True, larger microgrids will likely be more expensive than smaller microgrids — but in gross terms, not necessarily on a per kilowatt basis. In fact, generation for a very small microgrid tends to cost more per kilowatt than a comparable larger version. For example, a 50-kW solar array is more expensive per kilowatt than 1-MW solar array.

Should banks invest in microgrids?

With solar prices below 20 cents/W and lithium-ion batteries under $200/kWh, it is possible for microgrids to cost effectively deliver energy in the countries where Husk operates, according to Sinha. However, Sinha noted that microgrids are not yet appealing to banks.

Where can I find a report on microgrid costs?

This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at Giraldez, Julieta, Francisco Flores-Espino, Sara MacAlpine, and Peter Asmus. 2018. Phase I Microgrid Cost Study: Data Collection and Analysis of Microgrid Costs in the United States.