Leveraging Microgrids in Rural Communities
For rural communities, energy challenges are common. Limited access to reliable power, high energy costs, and vulnerability to extreme environmental conditions are frequent barriers to economic and social progress. By implementing microgrids that leverage advanced operational technologies, rural areas can overcome these hurdles and harness clean and reliable energy technologies.
Microgrids are self-sustaining energy systems capable of operating independently from the main grid. This makes them ideal for remote areas, which face more frequent and longer power outages in addition to higher energy and transmission costs. When deployed and operated with advanced digital twin software and connective technologies, microgrids hold great potential in reducing costs, ensuring sustainable power and providing energy independence to remote communities.
Advancing Rural Microgrid Operations
Digital twins and connective technologies, such as IoT, help digitize microgrid infrastructure and streamline operational management through a single interface. This type of data interaction allows operators to access real-time information of microgrid systems off-site and respond efficiently to any issues.
Additionally, incorporating advanced technologies, like AI and machine learning, provides capabilities well beyond data access and control. These advancements harness intelligent algorithms to provide predictive insights and automated demand response, minimizing downtime and optimizing efficiency and reliability. As a result, renewable energy sources can be utilized to their full potential, allowing rural communities to lead the charge in sustainable development, in addition to several other key benefits:
Load Balancing
Intelligent microgrid operations address load-induced voltage instability in locations with high power demand and varying reactive power needs by providing localized energy control and flexibility. Through advanced control systems, microgrids can dynamically balance reactive and active power, mitigating voltage fluctuations caused by sudden load changes. Integration with energy storage systems and renewable sources ensures stability by supplying or absorbing reactive power as needed. Moreover, microgrids enable real-time optimization, enhancing voltage stability while reducing reliance on central grids, particularly during peak demand periods, contributing to improved power quality and resilience.
Agricultural Assurance and Efficiencies
Advanced microgrid operations also support farms, processing facilities, and irrigation systems in regions where grid access is limited or unreliable. By incorporating renewables, farms can reduce their carbon footprint and improve overall sustainability. These systems also enable energy storage, ensuring a reliable power supply during periods of low generation, such as cloudy days or at night.
Energy Resilience and Independence
Microgrids pave a path toward energy independence from centralized grids, reducing vulnerability to disruptions and empowering rural communities to rely on sustainable, locally generated energy. By integrating various distributed energy sources, such as solar, wind, fuel cells, CHP plants, and energy storage, microgrids ensure reliable power generation, even when one source underperforms.
The Future of Rural Microgrid Development
While microgrids have proven to be a promising solution in many rural and remote communities, others are hesitant to take it on. Why? Simply put generators are easier to use. Small communities may lack the expertise and manpower needed to deploy and manage microgrid equipment and operations, especially when components that derive from various manufacturers have different controls and protocols.
In November 2021, the Department of Energy allocated $1 billion for the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program. And this year $336 million was awarded to fund 17 ongoing, community-driven projects across 20 states and 30 tribal nations, including:
$9.7 million to support 28 rural communities in Bayfield County, Wisconsin with 841 kilowatts of solar arrays and 1,065 kW of battery storage capacity, designed to lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and increase resilience.
$9.4 million for Montezuma Municipal Light & Power to build a solar-powered microgrid that can “island” from the central power grid in an emergency to power 706 residential homes, 201 commercial buildings, and two industrial facilities. The utility plans to leverage direct pay tax incentives to cover 30% of the projects cost to maximize funding.
$45.2 million allocated to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Assocation to improve energy access and resilience in seven U.S. communities, including Anza, CA; Arivaca, AZ; Clinton, MT; Cooke City, MT; Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, MN; Decatur, TN; Cherry Lane, NC
Though these projects are still years from completion, future operations and scalability must be at the forefront of planning and development. If employed within new deployments, intelligent microgrid solutions — such as those mentioned above — can unlock affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions, improving not only their energy independence but also their long-term economic and environmental future. This represents more than a technological shift—it is a pathway to stronger, self-sufficient communities that lead the clean energy transition.
Learn More
At Keyfive, we are committed to helping industries and communities harness the power of microgrids through cutting-edge digital twin technology, AI-driven analytics, and secure, scalable energy management systems. For more information on how we can support your microgrid initiatives, reach out to contact@keyfive.com.