Over 480 microgrid projects are proposed, under development, or operating worldwide

USA: Many new microgrid projects are still under the radar, and many local projects originate organically, without the official designations or titles, making them very hard to track. As a sector, however, microgrids are beginning to move into the mainstream, with a greater focus being placed on viable business models. The result is a much more robust microgrid market than just a few years ago.

According to a new report from Navigant Research, more than 480 microgrid projects are proposed, planned, under construction, or operating worldwide, representing nearly 3,800 megawatts (MW) of capacity.

“New vendors are continually entering the market and previously undiscovered projects are coming to the forefront, such as 27 projects planned or proposed in the state of Connecticut alone,” says Peter Asmus, principal research analyst with Navigant Research. “The outlines of a growing and vibrant microgrid movement are emerging, and the findings in this report reaffirm some of the market optimism surrounding microgrids, clearly demonstrating the rapid growth in the sector.”

North America remains the world’s leading market for microgrids, with a planned, proposed, and deployed capacity of 2,505 MW, representing an additional 417 MW since the fourth quarter 2012 version of the report—indicating an additional 55 projects. Of the total North American microgrid capacity, 1,459 MW is currently online and more than 1,122 MW is planned, under development, or proposed.