Creating the first energy resilient service station microgrid
With the addition of EV chargers placing more pressure on single-grid power supply, operators are seeking new solutions to make their sites more resilient. We talk to David Rodriguez, Director of Innovation at Enel North America, about the Alltown Fresh service station that uses an innovative microgrid to reduce its energy dependency.
Single-grid power dependence is becoming less reliable as it tries to keep up with the growing demands of today’s hyper connected society and climate challenges. According to a recent Reuters investigation, power outages in the U. S. have more than doubled in the last six years due to the country’s dated electric infrastructure – experts estimate it could cost around $2 trillion to renovate. Due to EV adoption picking up pace, the increase in power demand across the fuel retail industry is pushing operators into finding new solutions to become more resilient.
Microgrid technology looks to provide a backup solution against power outages and make operations more sustainable and energy efficient. For 20 years, Enel North America has championed clean electrification throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company has recently led the creation of the first energy resilient service station microgrid at an Alltown Fresh location. David Rodriguez, Director of Innovation at the firm, explains how the project was developed and what is the potential of the technology.
Enel partnered with Global Partners LP, one of the Northeast’s largest independent owners, suppliers and operators of energy stations and convenience stores, to implement a fully operational microgrid at an Alltown Fresh service station in Ayer, Massachusetts. The result is a forecourt with solar panels on the canopy, a battery storage unit, and a portable generator connection that allow the facility to maintain power during an outage. Resilience was a critical part of the project as the Alltown Fresh outlet is located along an evacuation route.
“In case of a power outage on the grid, islanding capabilities allow the site to disconnect from the primary grid within milliseconds, continuing the stable operation of the facility. Once the grid event passes and power is restored, a microgrid can seamlessly reconnect to the overall system,” explains Rodriguez. This location, operational since 2022, became the first commercial deployment of a microgrid that integrates a power supply for the service station and a DC fast charger behind one utility meter.
As the sector races to meet decarbonization goals, public backing has become one of its strongest allies to advance in the energy transition. The Alltown Fresh project received a range of financial incentives from government entities and organizations, such as the National Grid EV Make-Ready program, which allows to fund up to 100% of the electric infrastructure costs associated with new EV charging stations.
How microgrids embrace the transformation of service stations
A microgrid can contribute to manage energy consumption and reduce energy costs. As Enel’s representative points out, this system can help ensure power supply even during times of grid disruptions. Simultaneously, it can reduce overall energy costs when paired with energy storage systems by discharging the battery during times of peak energy demand when prices are higher. This gives retailers a solution that can be a storage unit and a management tool for on-site energy demand.
“At the same time, interconnection and upgrade queues, especially for larger sites, can last several years, leaving the customer stranded with insufficient energy loads. Microgrids can provide cost-effective non-wire solutions that allow to bring additional energy to the site to support additional loads from EV chargers and facilities today and avoid waiting a few years,” adds Rodriguez.
Microgrid deployment also increases the delivery of additional power to the site without requiring transmission, distribution, and interconnection upgrades. The supplier believes stations can keep up with EV chargers’ spike in demand as existing interconnection infrastructures are often not ready.
The Alltown Fresh service station project has proven that this concept can be replicated in other areas, especially in those with extreme weather conditions. A helpful solution to counter the increasing number of severe weather events that cause outages around the world. Moreover, Reuters found out that the seven regional grid operators in the U.S. lack updated data on their risk models, as their documents do not reflect how extreme weather can disrupt grids’ power supply.
Less stress for power grids, more power for businesses
On-site energy production with renewables has an obvious positive environmental impact but is not a definitive solution for the underlying problem. As demand continues to rise, it will be even more difficult for single grid-based power to keep up. This is where microgrids can play an important role in the efficient distribution of energy. The technology can act as backup for businesses, giving operators energy security and becoming a stress reliever for the grid, as utility-scale power generation becomes more prominent.
“Improvements in transmission and distribution infrastructure will also enable the grid to adapt to evolving patterns of electricity supply and demand related to increased renewable energy generation, new distributed-scale resources like microgrids and greater penetration of EVs. Finally, microgrids can also act as non-wire alternatives, allowing to defer transmission and distribution upgrades without constraining on-site load growth from EV chargers and general facilities,” concludes Rodriguez.
This first example is not just proof of a microgrid’s effectiveness for the fuel retail sector. It also sets the focus on issues around single-grid demand stress. Apart from this implementation, research shows the viability of the technology’s potential to power not businesses and communities. One could expect that microgrid integration into service stations can only grow moving forward.
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