The survey delivers several steps to gather detailed information necessary for planning, designing, and implementing a Microgrid System. The information feeds into the Feasibility Study.

 

Island Microgrids tailors the survey to meet the needs of the Client, the scope of the project and the commercial status of the project, i.e. a survey for the purposes of a budgetary quotation would typically call upon a small subset of the elements outlined below.

 

Conducting a thorough microgrid survey helps ensure that the project is technically feasible, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable, while also gaining the support of stakeholders and regulatory bodies. Below is an outline of the element’s a survey can involve:

 

1. Site Assessment

The site assessment will identify and evaluate the physical location where the microgrid will be installed. Adding a Topographical Survey the terrain and geographical features of the site will be assessed. Adding an Infrastructure Assessment, the existing electrical infrastructure, including substations, power lines, and distribution systems will be evaluated.

 

2. Energy Demand Assessment

The energy demand assessment will look at:

• Loads Analysis: Measuring and analyzing current and future energy consumption patterns.

• Peak Demand Identification: Identify times of highest energy usage.

•  Critical Loads: Determine essential services and equipment that require an uninterrupted power supply.

 

3. Resource Assessment

The resource assessment looks at the options for renewable energy resources including storage, evaluating the applicability of solar, wind, hydrogen, batteries and other renewable energy resource options. The assessment can look at the availability and reliability of conventional fuel sources like natural gas and propane for backup generators and blending those fuels with other renewable energy options.

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4. Microgrid Integration Assessment

The integration assessment looks at how the microgrid will integrate with the existing electrical systems and grid infrastructure. How each renewable resource will work together and what controls and microgrid operational features are needed to deliver to the Client the system benefits and return on investment.

 

5. Regulatory and Policy Review

This survey identifies necessary permits and approvals from local, state, and federal authorities.

 

6. Economic and Financial Analysis

The survey gathers the relevant financial data for modelling to analyze the return on investment (ROI), payback period, and overall economic feasibility. Generally, part of the feasibility study for the analysis this can be done during the Microgrid survey to conduct an economic and financial analysis, estimating the capital and operational costs for the microgrid for initial quotation purposes. Also, incentives and subsidies, researching available financial incentives and subsidies for microgrid projects

 

7. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

This survey identifies key stakeholders, including local communities, businesses, and regulatory bodies and to be used during the feasibility stage to develop an engagement plan for key stakeholders, addressing concerns, and gaining support.

 

8. Environmental Impact Assessment

The Microgrid survey will conduct an impact analysis to assess the potential environmental impacts of the microgrid project. The feasibility study will develop plans to minimize negative environmental impacts.