Microgrid advocacy group restructures as a nonprofit

Microgrid Resources Coalition (MRC) said it will reorganize as a nonprofit and continue its mission of national advocacy for microgrid development.

Formed in 2013, the group is an association of owners, operators, developers, suppliers, and investors supporting policies and regulations that promote microgrid deployment.  

MRC calls for a level playing field, market access for microgrids, and compensation for services. The group says that microgrids offer proven technologies that are safe, reliable, and clean alternatives to traditional resources like backup diesel generators.  

Customer-driven decarbonization is a key element in accelerating the adoption of renewable energy, according to MRC. The nonprofit said it supports a regulatory environment that fosters business model creation and innovation in which microgrids can operate in concert with the larger grid. MRC said that microgrid development leads to local job creation and small-business growth. 

A microgrid is a localized energy system that can operate together with the larger grid or disconnect from it and operate autonomously. MRC suggests that because of this independence, microgrid deployment will provide resiliency during storms or other crises where the main grid is not supplying power. 

Industry leaders from ENGIE North America, Schneider Electric, Bloom Energy, and operators including Princeton University, among others comprise the group. In 2016, MRC was integrated into the International District Energy Association (IDEA). MRC uses IDEA platforms for communications, conferences, education, and to accelerate MRC growth. MRC then re-invests net proceeds from IDEA-backed conferences back into advocacy for the industry.