Technology – Microgrids can reduce electricity costs

Small local energy networks for electricity, heating and cooling, so-called ‘microgrids’, which supply energy to households and businesses, can help reduce electricity costs. This is evidenced by analyzes by the Competence Center for Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) using two specific examples of such microgrids in the municipal and private sectors of Lower Austria, the research center announced in a broadcast.

In microgrids, the energy requirement is covered independently by renewable energies. Surpluses go into the battery or heat accumulator and are called up when needed. Individually controlled, these networks can be decoupled from the energy supplier and function even in the event of a power outage.

Electricity costs reduced by almost a third

In Wieselburg (Lower Austria), the BEST competence center operates a microgrid that connects the new fire station with the Technopol office building and is also used for research purposes. Annual electricity costs could already be reduced by nearly a third in 2021 without using up the full economic capacity of PV and battery.

According to the researchers, the advantages of a microgrid are also evident in private homes: for example, they mention a microgrid of a family of three in Lower Austria, with a photovoltaic system (4.5 kW), battery storage (19 kWh) and a charging station for an electric car. In February, the energy purchased from the energy supplier was reduced by 73% to 52 kWh compared to 2021, and by even 92% to 18 kWh in June. This means that monthly electricity bills in 2022 are far below the 2021 level, despite the fact that electricity prices have tripled over the same period.

Scientists call CO another benefit of microgrids₂-Reduction of emissions, lightening the load on electricity grids, which means that it is possible to reduce grid expansions, dampening of inflation caused by high electricity prices and less dependence on other countries and companies. (ap)