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Worldwide Microgrid Capacity Under Development Now Exceeds 3 Gigawatts, Finds Pike Research TrackerBOULDER, Colo. --(Business Wire)-- Most microgrids operating today are, in essence, retrofit projects, utilizing an overlay of control technologies that are designed to integrate legacy assets with new microgrid components, usually in the form of small amounts of solar PV or a new advanced energy storage unit. In the future, however, greenfield microgrid projects will be increasingly prevalent. According to a new tracker report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant's Energy Practice, the number of active microgrid projects around the world continues to increase at a brisk pace, as does the total installed capacity of microgrids. All told, the report documents 67 newly identified microgrid entries, equating to an increase of 571 megawatts (MW) in worldwide capacity, compared to the sum of past projects included in Pike Research's (News - Alert) tracking. Planned, proposed, under-development, and fully operating microgrids now represent nearly 3,200 MW of total capacity, according to the report. "Large and small companies, as well as various government and research departments, are moving aggressively to create or assemble new microgrids," says senior research analyst Peter Asmus. "Among the companies that provided new project data for this deployment tracker update are SAIC (News - Alert), Honeywell, SMA International, Arista Power, Younicos, Blue Pillar, and Youngblood Capital Group - to name a few." One key driver of microgrid market growth, adds Asmus, is the defense sector. The U.S. Secretary of Defense recently conducted a survey of Department of Defense (DOD) facilities that included an inventory of onsite electrical infrastructure focused on microgrid deployments. Accoding to the Secretary of Defense, more than 40 U.S. military bases currently have operating microgrids, have planned microgrids, or have conducted studies or demonstrations of microgrid technologies. The Microgrid Deployment Tracker is a fourth-edition database, updated biennially, that covers five microgrid market application segments and four principal geographies. The tracker lists proposed, planned, under development and operating microgrids - as well as selected projects that lay the foundation for viable microgrids over the next six years. The goal of this database is to provide the best up-to-date summary of microgrid projects available globally. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Pike Research website. About Pike Research Pike Research, which joined Navigant's global Energy Practice on July 1, 2012, provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The team's research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. Additional information about Pike Research can be found at www.navigant.com/pikeresearch. About Navigant Navigant (NYSE: NCI) is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com. * The information contained in this press release concerning the report, "Microgrid Deployment Tracker 4Q12," is a summary and reflects Pike Research's current expectations based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report's conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Pike Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.
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