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From Storm to Sustainability

Watch how it all started.

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When a severe snowstorm completely shut down our operations, G&W Electric recognized the benefits of installing a microgrid to deliver uninterrupted premium power to support our critical operations as well as our customers.

John Mueller
Chairman and Owner of G&W Electric
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Microgrid Benefits

Compared with the traditional grid, the microgrid offers a host of benefits for businesses and communities. It not only keeps the lights on when the central grid is unavailable, it reduces carbon footprints, provides an alternate generation source, protects communities, and creates potential cost savings.

Economic Benefits

  • Monthly incentives for Frequency Regulation
  • State tax credits for using renewable power
  • Utility incentives for installing solar panels
  • Net Metering – ability to sell solar power on the grid

Environmental Benefits

  • Greener, cleaner, renewable energy
  • Most components can be recyclable
  • Flow batteries last longer and contain less toxic materials
  • Potential to become carbon-neutral in the future

Safety Benefits

  • Flow batteries use vanadium – a non-flammable substance that is fully recyclable
  • The majority of the materials are abundantly available and more accessible than lithium-ion counterparts
  • Provides superior protection to personnel and the surrounding environment, including a rapid shut down of the solar panels
  • Protects critical operations for hospitals, data centers, manufacturers and other industries

Community Benefits

  • Ensures the continuity of vital operations during periods of outages
  • Enables businesses to operate independently from the primary grid, offering potential cost saving advantages
  • Eases the load on the system, helping others without DERs to stay powered
  • Allows businesses to reduce their carbon footprint
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Investing in the Future

As one of the largest investments in G&W Electric’s history, the microgrid reflects our commitment to lead the industry by providing innovative solutions for the future of power – bringing us one step closer to reaching our carbon-neutral operational goals.

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Engineered to Order. Built to Last.

Our microgrid is the culmination of G&W Electric’s industry-leading expertise in designing safe, dependable and sustainable power solutions that stand the test of time.

See how our innovative solutions can work for your next project.
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Explore our interactive microgrid

Flywheel

  • The 1.3 MVA flywheel is a solid cylinder with a large mass. It spins at tremendous speeds, up to 2,800 rotations per minute
  • Containment – mechanical failure can be catastrophic because of the huge forces involved, so the flywheel is housed within a strong enclosure
  • Motor and Generator – when energy is being stored, electricity drives the motor to spin the flywheel. When the stored energy is being recovered, the motor acts as a generator to convert the spinning motion back to electricity.

Solar Panels

  • Nearly 6,000 panels installed across the roof covering over 370,000 sq. ft. – about the size of 7.7 football fields
  • Cutting-edge bi-facial solar panels that generate energy from both sides
  • Panels will optimize the use of direct sunlight and reflection which will generate 18-20% more energy than standard monofacial solar panel designs

Flow Battery

  • 3 megawatt flow battery is the “heart and soul” of the microgrid
  • Capable of operating at 150% of its nominal 2 megawatts
  • Generates 3 megawatts for 1.5 hours or 2 megawatts for 4 hours
  • The flow battery uses a vanadium electrolyte solution – environmentally friendly and fireproof
  • 20+ year lifespan and recyclable at end of life

G&W Electric Trident®-SR with SafeVu™ Switchgear

  • Maintenance-free, high-speed switch with integrated visible break
  • Equipped with ABB REC670 relays
    • Only relay that can protect and monitor a 6-way looped switch
  • Forms a distribution loop with <6 cycle FLISR response
  • Ties the G&W Electric campus together electrically to increase reliability

G&W Electric Viper®-ST Reclosers

  • Viper-based Automatic Transfer (ATO) switches G&W Electric’s campus to an alternate, overhead source in less than 10 seconds
  • Uses an enhanced version of the noncommunicating loop scheme implemented across the utility’s service territory

G&W Electric LaZer® Automation

  • High-speed reconfiguration (<6 cycle FLISR response)
  • Full monitoring and control
  • Ability to island from the grid and reconnect

Explore the Future of Power

Explore our interactive microgrid to learn more about the components.

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Nearly 6,000 bi-facial solar panels are being installed to build one of the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic systems in North America. →