Guidehouse Insights named Schneider Electric, Siemens and GE Vernova as the top microgrid integrators in a new report released this week. Guidehouse Insights Leaderboard: Microgrid Integrators evaluates nine microgrid integrators based on their strategy and execution.
The companies were categorized as leaders, contenders, challengers or followers. Integrators are responsible for the installation of distributed energy resources (DERs) and other technologies within the microgrid. They also sometimes act as developers.
A complex and sophisticated product
Guidehouse noted that some integrators are focusing their efforts on modular solutions, while others are developing highly customized microgrids. Additionally, some solutions rely on single generation asset types while others include multiple energy sources, such as the microgrid Schneider Electric’s AlphaStruxure constructed for Montgomery County, Maryland.
Because they range in size, purpose and technology, microgrid solutions aren’t always easy to compare.
Guidehouse Insights rated each company based on its vision; go-to-market strategy; partners; delivery strategy; technology; geographic reach; sales, marketing, and distribution; offering lifetime performance; offering quality and reliability; offering portfolio; pricing; and staying power.
The microgrid market will continue to grow
Decarbonization efforts are driving the microgrid market, according to Guidehouse Insights.
“Microgrids, with their inherent appeal of independence and reliability, are poised for major growth,” said Dan Power, senior research analyst at Guidehouse Insights.In addition to serving their traditional customer base, many integrators are also expanding their business model by creating services specifically for utilities.
Siemens, for example, recently worked on one such project with Electricidade dos Açores, the Portuguese energy provider on the Azores island of Terceira.
“As DER costs continue to decline, retail electricity rates rise, and natural disasters become more frequent and severe leading to grid outages, customers in all business segments are investigating microgrids to achieve economic, sustainability and resilience objectives,” Power said.
