Schneider Electric has announced it is building a microgrid system at its Boston One Campus to develop, test and showcase microgrid energy management solutions. The system will include a 400 kW photovoltaic system built and operated by REC Solar.
The project is expected to begin generating 560,000 kWh per year of electricity by fall. Beyond saving Schneider Electric nearly 5% on electricity costs at the site in its first year, the microgrid will offer power resiliency in the event of a power loss from the local utility, according to the company.
The microgrid at Boston One Campus, located in Andover, Mass., will use 1,613 solar modules. Phase 1 construction is expected to begin in early spring, with installation of 209 PV modules on the roof of the site’s main building. Phase 2 should begin in late spring with construction of carports that will hold 1,404 PV panels. The carports are also designed so that electric vehicle charging stations can be added.
The system includes Schneider Electric PV inverters that convert direct current from the solar modules to alternating current that will be used by the facility for power. The company says the project will also store up to 1 MWh of electricity using EcoBlade, the company’s energy storage system powered by lithium-ion batteries.
The company’s microgrid controller and StruxureWare Demand Side Operation will optimize use of photovoltaic energy, storage and the facility’s existing natural gas generation set during grid-connected and islanded operation. StruxureWare collects and manages weather and operational data.
“Deploying Schneider Electric technologies across the Boston One Campus creates a living laboratory at our North American R&D hub that will drive global innovation in efficiency and energy management solutions,” says Laurent Vernerey, president and CEO of Schneider Electric’s North American operations.
