The Ulster Farmers’ Union have recently presented evidence to the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Enterprise, Trade and Investment (ETI) Committee on the theory and merits behind micro-grids and their prospective role in Northern Ireland.
Speaking after the meeting, UFU Deputy President Barclay Bell said: “Our evidence on micro-grids was favourably received and the ETI committee were receptive to the possibility that this could be a viable alternative for those unable to connect small scale renewable generation to the electricity grid. Micro-grids are smart geographically localised networks capable of aggregating and optimising diverse small-scale renewable resources and the energy generated can then be distributed to selected customers. Working in conjunction with a local storage solution, it would allow a greater efficient use of energy and improve power quality in many instances.
Barclay continued: “We acknowledge that NIE are making significant progress on Project 40 which would allow future managed connections to the grid for a number of would-be small scale renewable generators. However, where the cost of upgrade is significant, grid connection will not be possible for many and this is where consideration should be given to a micro-grid. This concept was also put to the ETI Committee.”
