Microgrids offer independent, local power – cleaner energy closer to the point-of-use, reducing transmission costs and creating resilience. Microgrids are defined as power systems with controls that integrate one or more sources and storage to provide electricity to users or loads. Hybrid microgrids combine a traditional diesel or propane generator with renewable energy creating a bridge to cleaner energy with optimized capital costs for 24/7 electricity and reduced operating costs.
Hybrid microgrids with New Sun Road’s Stellar remote control platform optimizes performance, to lower generator fuel costs and maximize renewable energy usage. Stellar Microgrid OSTM uses AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms incorporating data from on-site IoT (internet of things) devices, weather forecasts with satellite measurements to forecast solar energy generation and energy usage to trigger optimally timed generator operations. The AI pipeline automatically learns and recalibrates system parameters that allow it to improve battery state-of-charge (SoC) estimates, minimize periods of solar over supply, tune forecast models, and simulate different control scenarios. New Sun Road conducted a study on three hybrid microgrids in Tanzania, finding that Stellar’s automated optimization increases solar power usage by 10-20% and resulted in diesel fuel savings of up to 10% or more annually.