ABB’s MGS100 microgrid technology lights up businesses and rural communities

ABB’s MGS100 brings together all the components required for a sustainable microgrid in a single device, making it extremely versatile and flexible

ABB is bringing affordable, safe and reliable electricity to remote communities with its new integrated microgrid solution, MGS100 that combines solar power and enables battery energy storage.

The MGS100, built to perform in extreme environments, has the ability to transform lives and businesses for the better where access to affordable and reliable power is a challenge said the company in a statement.

The scalable system can be connected to multiple power sources to provide electricity for remote villages that are not connected to the main grid, or reliable back-up power for small commercial and industrial facilities using an inconsistent grid supply, enabling social and economic development.

ABB’s President of Electrification Products, Tarak Mehta, said: “ABB uses technology to enable progress and in this case our innovation can help improve the lives of those who need it most. The MGS100 is a plug and play solution that makes access to affordable and reliable power a reality, creating life-changing opportunities, improving basic living standards including education and health as well as unlocking economic development. The modular and standardized solution makes rapid deployment possible even in remote locations.”

ABB’s MGS100 brings together all the components required for a sustainable microgrid in a single device, making it extremely versatile and flexible. It can tap into cost-efficient, renewable energies such as solar photovoltaic [PV] and batteries, removing the reliance for costly and potentially harmful biofuel/diesel generators, therefore reducing overall operating costs and environmental impact.

By prioritizing abundant local solar power during the day, the MGS100 switches to battery mode after dark and only uses an AC generator for the rest of the night if the battery runs out. Any excess energy produced throughout the day is used to charge the batteries, and once they are fully charged, remaining energy can be sold to the grid to generate additional income.

ABB notes that seamless transition between the grid and the microgrid allows operations to continue while the grid is down, and battery energy storage minimizes the need to purchase electricity from local utilities.

Encased in a single container, the MGS100 has three power ratings – 20 kW, 40 kW, 60 kW nominal load power. Installation is quick and easy, as it is factory tested and embedded DC and AC protections make it ready to connect. With the added benefit of remote monitoring, vital diagnostics are always available and maintenance is simple.

The modular scalable design means that capacity can be increased easily and the “grid ready” feature allows connection to the grid if this becomes available. The MGS100 will be widely available at the end of 2017.