Rhombus Energy Solutions Selected to Provide Smart Inverters for University of St. Thomas Microgrid Center
Rhombus Energy Solutions, Inc., an industry leader in advanced power conversion solutions, has been selected by University of St. Thomas to provide its smart inverters for a new microgrid research lab. Rhombus’ new multi-port, 50kW inverters will be used to connect and manage energy storage and renewable sources for demonstration and microgrid research. The University of St. Thomas School of Engineering has received a multimillion-dollar grant from the Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund to build a Microgrid Research and Testing Center. In addition to serving as a research and educational resource, an additional goal of the center is to support companies that develop renewable and alternative electric power solutions.
The microgrid facility is also designed to be able to seamlessly expand the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) mix including a wide range of components brought there for analysis by third parties. Dr. Mowry said the new Center will be able to conduct control-system and device research, and test components used as distributed energy resources, such as fuel cells, photovoltaics, wind turbines, energy storage methods and biofuels. Dr. Greg Mowry, Director of the Microgrid Research Center, stated, “The Center will offer tremendous flexibility and will be among the most accessible and comprehensive microgrid testing facilities in the country. We selected Rhombus because of their robust PCS design and deep technical expertise required to support our research activities.” Rick Sander, CEO of Rhombus, commented, “We are thrilled to be selected by the University of St. Thomas and expect this will result in a long-standing, strategic partnership.”
Rhombus will be exhibiting at Energy Storage North America (ESNA), October 5-6, 2016 at the San Diego Convention Center, and will be debuting their newest addition to the Rhombus product line for energy storage and microgrid applications.
Source:PRN
