Learn about the microgrids and extend the knowledge about the energy system!

Being an eMobility leader in various projects across multiple startups, Piotr was responsible for OCPI and OCPP integration as well as EMP and CPO platforms development. With extensive expertise in the open standards field and eMobility tech solutions, he is leading teams of experienced developers and contributing with invaluable knowledge and experience.

Piotr Majcher

, we’re now starting the new year following up and elaborating on the topic of energy networks. It’s time to narrow it down to slightly smaller units.

A microgrid is a small-scale energy system that remains self-sufficient even when it’s completely off-grid. At the heart of such a system there is a local source of power production such as solar, wind or diesel generators which distribute the energy across its receivers in a controlled manner. In newer microgrid systems it’s getting more popular to install some sort of energy storage facilities in order to ensure even greater efficiency.

The U.S. Department of Energy defines the microgrid as follows:

“A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources (DER) within clearly defined electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both connected or island-mode.”


In terms of the size required for an energy system to be labeled as a microgrid, there really aren’t any strict patterns. The classification is based more on the actual form and ways of operation rather than size. Thus, a microgrid can be anything from a college campus that runs on solar panels to an island with its own source of energy. With such an approach it also should be clear that while the primary principles remain the same, the microgrids may significantly differ from one another.

While there are a couple of types of microgrids, they all share some alike features.

A microgrid is a local undertaking, meaning that there are defined electrical boundaries and a clear set of energy recipients within the system. Importantly, all the end-users are located in the close proximity of the energy source, making the transmission very efficient. Unlike with the “general grid” (in microgrid contexts, the grid is also known as a 

), where the long-distance transmission itself can consume up to 15% of the carried electricity, in the microgrid setting, all energy produced is utilized to its full potential. Cleanliness would be the second usually shared trait amongst microgrids - they oftentimes run solely on green sources of energy such as wind or solar. Specially popular solar panels have gained popularity in the last few years especially due to becoming affordable and easily accessible. Finally, being independent from the constraints of the macrogrid, microgrids are less prone to malfunctions, overburdening or blackouts.

There are two main types of microgrids hidden under many names. We differentiate mostly: grid-connected and off-grid microgrids.

 microgrids are the ones that cannot be connected to the main electrical grid, meaning they all have an individual source of energy. They can be found particularly in remote areas that are too far and costly to operate from centralized energy sources. Amongst those, we can differentiate locations such as small islands or far-flung but habitable regions in Siberia. Off-grid microgrids can leverage various forms of distributed generation, such as renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, along with an efficient integrated storage system.

The off-grid microgrids used to rely mostly on diesel generators, of which shipping to remote areas was a fairly costly investment. Because of that, the transition to renewable energy is gaining momentum across many operators. On top of the green sources, many also found some energy storage facilities beyond useful and installed them, making the micro energy systems highly smart and self-sufficient. This switch to more modern ways, has led the off-grid microgrids to being one of the most efficient energy systems out there.

These are the microgrids that have the ability to connect/disconnect from the main grid. They operate both connected and autonomously when needed, allowing for emergency power supply or operation changes as conditions dictate. The dualistic possibilities in the operation ways ensure reliable electricity to locations even during macrogrid outages - all while keeping grid-connectivity possible. The disconnection is oftentimes called an island mode and the grid-connected microgrids are sometimes referred to as 


The most common question asked when talking about the islandable microgrids is: what’s the point of it when it can be connected to the main system?

. While macrogrid tends to get overburdened quite frequently, the microgrid users remain indifferent to whatever outages the main grid may have. This solution is especially useful in cases of hospital complexes, where there are few entities that require a constant flow of energy. Similar cases would be with the airports or college campuses.

The benefits also come the other way, as in cases when the macrogrid is reaching its peak capacity, the operators can advise the microgrid controllers that they should switch to an island mode in order to minimize the risk of a big-scale outage.

While these aren’t necessarily the types of microgrids, they can be classified as the topologies. Given that energy management architectures are paramount for a successful microgrid, it’s also worth noting them. They provide the structure to capture energy from different sources and incorporate it into the electrical grids efficiently.

Power sources with AC output are connected to AC bus through AC/AC converter, whilst DC output uses DC/AC converters. While they’re generally more versatile than DC microgrids, the conversion efficiency is lower.

Power sources with DC output are connected to DC bus directly or by DC/DC converters, whilst power sources with AC output are connected to the DC bus through AC/DC converter. With DC microgrids the conversion efficiency is higher which makes them a perfect fit for high-performance electrical demand. Unfortunately, they generally cost more to implement.

The hybrid microgrid allows energy to flow seamlessly between AC and DC power sources, via a bidirectional converter connecting both buses.


While the share of microgrids in the global energy market isn’t yet quite substantial, there’s no question that they make a great way of improving the global energy system’s reliability and efficiency. Amongst the benefits

 – microgrids can keep the lights on even if the power goes out, an especially important feature during extreme weather events.

 – microgrids are a great way to reduce carbon emissions, as they often employ renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which have little to no environmental impact.

– microgrids can significantly reduce the cost of producing and distributing electricity, as they operate on a smaller scale and the energy is produced locally.

 – microgrids are more resilient to natural disasters or power outages than centralized systems, as their distributed nature offers greater protection from disruption.

 – microgrids can be modified easily to meet changing energy demands, allowing communities to respond quickly and efficiently to changing needs.

After publication about smart grids, we extend the knowledge on the topic. This time, learn about the microgrids!

Smart grids

Download our PFD about smart grids and see how the energy industry changes!

Experienced content writer with over 4 years of experience in the energy sector and many industry-related publications released.

Gabriela Stawiarska

Energy-related issues have made the news in the last couple of years probably more than ever before. From the massive shift in energy usage triggered by the onset of Covid to the recent blackouts all over the world, the electricity sector has known no peace recently.

It’s to no surprise, given how inordinate the scale of the entire energy industry is. Being at the core of the whole undertaking, the grid operators have a lot on their plates in terms of keeping everything stable and secure. Energy grids are the virtual spiderwebs that facilitate large-scale electricity delivery from production sites to nearly every home and business across the world. Unequaled in complexity, these incredible networks require intricate planning for cross-border or multi-state operations, delivering power generated by sources like coal plants, natural gas facilities and nuclear plants into electrical energy the humankind uses daily.

In response to the increased demand in electricity worldwide, numerous actions have been taken to ensure its smooth operation. This is how the concept of smart grids came to life.

While grid as such may be understood by many, the prefix “smart” may cause some confusion. In a nutshell, a smart grid is an electricity network based on digital technology, allowing for an interactive flow of energy and data. Generally, what makes the grid smart are the extensive digital features running in the background and optimizing the whole system. A smart grid has the ability to collect, monitor, analyze and manage data from a range of sources to optimize power distribution networks.

In our downloadable PDF, we shed light on all the important aspects of smart grids:

What are the characteristics of a smart grid?

Smart grids - what are they and how do they change the energy game?

See a little insight into the world of energy efficiency and learn what it brings to the table.

As we have stated before, we’re going to elaborate slightly more on the topic of energy. Rooted deeply in said matter, eMobilty plays an important role and fits right into the subject of energy management and distribution. Given the ever-circling debates on potential impact of electric vehicles on global energy resources, the need to extend the narration is even more grounded.

The practice of energy efficiency is the act or ability to use less resources on a task, followed by decreased consumption and waste. In general, energy efficiency is the ratio of the useful output to the total input of any resource. For example, high-efficiency appliances use less electricity than standard appliances, and better insulation in a home reduces the amount of heating and cooling energy required.  The study of energy efficiency looks at the ways to reduce the amount of energy required to provide a given service or function and the research is being conducted at nearly every aspect of the usage. It also includes improving the overall efficiency of systems, such as a power grid or transportation system.

Energy efficiency is a vital component in achieving net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide through decarbonization. It can be one the easiest and most cost effective ways to combat climate change while also providing consumers with lower prices on their electricity bills as well improving competitiveness among businesses

The motivation to improve energy efficiency is vast and diverse. The act of decreasing our use of fossil fuels can result in financial savings, while also reducing cost on consumers.The need or desire for economical practices has never been greater than it currently stands: with the prices at an all-time high. The economic crisis has forced people to re-evaluate the way they use energy in their homes and businesses. According to the 2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, improving commercial building energy efficiency could save American businesses $40 billion annually by 2030.

It's not just businesses that can benefit from saving money on their energy bills; households can also make a significant dent. The same study found that if households across the United States improved their energy efficiency by 10%, they would collectively save $19 billion annually on their utility bills.

While there are many motivations to pursue energy efficiency, one of the most important is simply that it is better for the environment. Burning fossil fuels emits harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is leading to irreversible climate changes. In fact, improving energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In the short-term, some energy efficiency improvements may require a higher upfront investment, but offer significant long-term savings. In the long-term, energy efficiency improvements can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment. Nevertheless, there is a whole plethora of possible adhibitions in nearly every area that requires energy.

Improving the energy efficiency of industrial manufacturing and processes can be challenging, but it can also lead to significant reductions in energy consumption and emissions. In many cases, energy-efficient technologies can be readily adopted in existing facilities with minimal investment.

In other cases, more comprehensive approaches may be required that involve changes to production processes or the adoption of new technologies. Improving the energy efficiency of industrial manufacturing and processes can also require changing equipment, upgrading controls and instrumentation, and modifying operating procedures.

Extracting and processing raw materials generally requires a significant amount of energy. Reducing the energy intensity of these operations can have a major impact on overall energy consumption.

There are a number of ways to improve the energy efficiency of resource extraction and processing, including using energy-efficient equipment, optimizing processes, and adopting best practices.

Buildings account for a significant portion of total energy consumption. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings can help to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

There are a number of ways to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, including improving insulation, upgrading heating and cooling systems, air conditioning, smart thermostats and using energy-efficient lighting i.e. LED. Many incorporate renewable sources as well, such as solar panels on the roofs.

Appliances and consumer electronics are also a big part of total energy consumption. Improving the energy efficiency of appliances and consumer electronics can help to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

There are a number of ways to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and consumer electronics, including using more efficient models, turning off devices when they are not in use, and properly disposing of old or broken devices.

The transportation sector is one of the most energy-intensive sectors of the economy. Improving the energy efficiency of transportation can help to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

There are a number of ways to improve the energy efficiency of transportation, including optimizing routes and consolidating shipments. In some cases, it may also be possible to substitute energy-intensive transportation modes with less energy-intensive alternatives. Interesting fact may be that with electric vehicles, the efficiency is estimated to be around 90%, meaning that only 10% of the energy is not directly used.

One of the most important benefits of energy efficiency is that it can help to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the main drivers of climate change, and they have a variety of negative impacts on human health, agriculture, and natural ecosystems. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases is thus a key goal of many energy efficiency programs.

In addition to reducing emissions, making buildings more energy efficient can also save money on energy bills. This is because using less energy generally leads to lower energy costs. For example, switching to more efficient lighting can lead to significant savings on electricity bills. In some cases, the savings from energy efficiency measures can be used to offset the costs of implementing those measures.

Finally, improving the energy efficiency of buildings can also improve the competitiveness of businesses. This is because businesses that use less energy often have lower operating costs. In addition, energy efficient buildings often have higher resale values than their less efficient counterparts.

Overall, the benefits of energy efficiency are wide-ranging and significant. By reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, saving money on energy bills, and improving the competitiveness of businesses, energy efficiency provides a key solution to many of the world’s most pressing problems.

A few words about energy efficiency

Download our paper on Demand Response and learn all about it!

Lately, there has been quite a lot of debate about the capacity of the grid all over the world. With tensions rising, many people are voicing their concerns in terms of the potential grid overburdening. However, while speaking about it, one must remember how complex the whole ecosystem is.

The global energy system is a vast and complex network that supplies energy to homes and businesses across the entire planet. It includes everything from power plants and transmission lines to distribution systems and end-use customers. At the heart of this system is energy management. This is the process of planning, controlling, and optimizing the use of energy resources to meet specific objectives. It involves countless operations making sure that the entirety runs smoothly.

Demand response is one of the technologies involved in grid’s proper operation. 

Per definition, demand response is a change in electricity consumption by consumers to help keep the supply and demand of electricity in balance. This can be done by either reducing or increasing their electricity usage depending on the needs of the grid.

Through demand response, utilities can reduce the need for investment in new generation capacity, as well as improve grid stability and resilience. For consumers, demand response programs can offer financial incentives and other benefits.

The whole technology, however slightly complicated at first glance, brings a whole plethora of benefits for both - energy consumers and the grid itself.

In our downloadable PDF, we shed light on all the important aspects of demand response:

What are the main branches of the energy system?

What’s the role of the grid in the ecosystem?

Examples of demand response in practise (including eMobility solutions)

How does demand response impact the energy system?

Microgrids - where are they in the global energy system?

13 JANUARY 2023 • 7 MIN READ