ARDA Power

Microgrids

ARDA designs, builds, and distributes DC microgrid control systems for use in a wide range of distributed renewable energy applications.

ARDA designs, builds, and distributes DC microgrid control systems for use in a wide range of distributed renewable energy applications including EV Fast Charging. Our solution provides functionality for microgrids – like voltage control and safety – similar to the functionality provided by utilities for the public grid. Primary proprietary components include a patented software-based microgrid controller; a DC Protection Panel that acts as the hub of the microgrid; and a Microgrid Response Controller (used to integrate third-party mass-produced hardware components).

ARDA’s solution is completely modular and supports the use of compatible third-party mass-produced hardware including AC/DC inverters, solar converters, battery storage, and DC-connected EV fast chargers. The software and control system are unique in that they use battery resources to provide power management to the microgrid but require NO wired or wireless communications for core microgrid functionality. It easily interfaces with third-party software solutions including monitoring, energy optimization, and EV fast charging.

Primary benefits of the solution include:

  1. Dramatically reduces grid interconnection size and complexity;
  2. Fully modular solution requires no project-specific engineering;
  3. Increases energy efficiency by eliminating redundant AC/DC conversions;
  4. Reduces Capex costs by eliminating some hardware components;
  5. Provides resiliency/backup at little or no additional cost.

ARDA’s initial market focus (in the US and Canada) is a distributed energy solution that integrates DC-connected solar plus energy storage plus fast EV charging. A wide range of industry experts are forecasting rapid growth rates for this market, exceeding 20% per year.

Awesense and ARDA come together to provide increased insight into microgrids and how they affect the wider grid infrastructure. Data from ARDA’s solution can be integrated into the Awesense Open Energy Data Model and used to monitor the performance of the microgrid, including when it is islanded, and connected to the primary grid.