Duke Energy Renewables and REC Solar announce the completion of their first joint microgrid project with Schneider Electric

- REC Solar built the solar array for the Duke Energy Renewables-owned system, which is now operational

- A second microgrid project is underway in Maryland

News provided by

Apr 06, 2017, 13:45 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Renewables today announced its first microgrid project is now operating on the Schneider Electric Boston One Campus.

Schneider Electric built the microgrid on the campus of its North American headquarters in Andover, Mass. REC Solar, a national provider of commercial solar and energy solutions, built and will operate the solar array.

Duke Energy Renewables, which owns a majority interest in REC Solar, owns the microgrid system and solar array and is selling the power to Schneider Electric through a long-term power purchase agreement.

"The integration of an advanced microgrid at the Schneider Electric campus reduces its energy costs, incorporates more sustainable energy and delivers demand-side efficiency, while also offering resiliency to the facility in the event of a loss of power from the grid," said Chris Fallon, vice president of Duke Energy Renewables and Commercial Portfolio. "Additionally, in partnership with Schneider, we can research and develop new microgrid technologies, solutions and applications in a real-world environment."

The microgrid is expected to generate more than 520,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. It includes a 354-kilowatt (AC) solar array with 1,379 solar modules that power the system. The microgrid also incorporates a natural gas generator as an anchor resource, allowing the solar panels to operate during grid outages to maintain critical operations.

In addition to the Boston One site, Duke Energy Renewables, Schneider Electric and REC Solar have a second microgrid project underway for the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public Safety Headquarters and Correctional Facility.

Duke Energy Renewables will own the two Montgomery County microgrids, which will consist of a 2-megawatt (AC) solar project and two combined heat and power (CHP) units. The CHP systems will save energy by using waste heat from on-site power generation to heat and cool the buildings.

REC Solar will build and operate the solar facility, and Schneider Electric will design and implement the microgrid project, which is expected to become fully operational in 2018.

"It's more important than ever to meet customers' evolving needs through solutions that are creative, affordable and dependable," said Rob Caldwell, president, Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology. "With more than 100 years of utility experience and an established renewables business, we bring the expertise in generating cleaner energy that will serve to increase the security and sustainability for these county facilities."

"Island mode" capabilities of the microgrids will allow continued operation of Montgomery County's critical facilities for extended periods during power outages.

The Montgomery County microgrids will produce approximately 3.3 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy and 7.4 million kilowatt-hours of CHP each year. Combined, the on-site power generation at these two facilities is anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,629 metric tons per year.

About Duke Energy Renewables

Duke Energy Renewables primarily acquires, develops, builds and operates wind and solar renewable generation throughout the continental U.S. The portfolio includes nonregulated renewable energy and energy storage assets.

Duke Energy Renewables' renewable energy includes utility-scale wind and solar generation assets which total 2,900 MW across 14 states from 20 commercial wind and 63 solar projects. The power produced from renewable generation is primarily sold through long-term contracts to utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities and commercial and industrial customers. Learn more at www.duke-energy.com/renewables.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.

Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About REC Solar

REC Solar is a nationwide leader providing complete commercial, public sector and utility-scale solar solutions. Incorporating experience from more than 580 successful solar installations over 20 years, REC Solar tailors financing and technology solutions to immediately deliver bottom line savings. REC Solar makes solar simple, working seamlessly with customer operations to deliver clean energy for decades. For more information, visit RECSolar.com or call 844-REC-SOLAR (844-732-7652).

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of $26 billion US dollars (25 billion euros) in FY2016, our 160,000+ employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this Life Is On. www.schneider-electric.us

Contact: Duke Energy, Tammie McGee
800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy