Microgrid Outage Coverage Runtime

Quantify how long your microgrid can ride through an outage. Supply the usable storage capacity, the load that must stay online, and any renewable contribution during an event to see the net runtime you can promise operations, regulators, and insurers.

Account for depth-of-discharge limits on the battery or fuel cell stack.
Include life-safety circuits, telecom, HVAC, and production loads the microgrid must serve.
Defaults to 0 kW. Enter expected solar, wind, or CHP contribution available during the event.
Defaults to 92% to reflect inverter and wiring losses.

Verify microgrid runtime with load-bank testing and coordination studies before finalizing resiliency plans.

Examples

  • 1,800 kWh usable storage, 150 kW load, 25 kW renewables, 92% efficiency ⇒ Deliverable storage after losses: 1,656.00 kWh • Net critical load after renewables: 125.00 kW • Estimated runtime: 13.25 hours (794.88 minutes / 0.55 days)
  • 900 kWh usable storage, 60 kW load, renewables blank, 88% efficiency ⇒ Deliverable storage after losses: 792.00 kWh • Net critical load after renewables: 60.00 kW • Estimated runtime: 13.20 hours (792.00 minutes / 0.55 days)

FAQ

How do I account for a diesel or natural-gas generator?

Treat dispatchable generation as part of the renewable backfill input, or run the calculator twice—once for storage-only and once including generator output—to show the blended runtime.

Can I add load-shedding strategies?

Yes. Re-run the calculation with the reduced critical load after curtailment. This highlights how demand response extends backup windows.

What if I need n+1 redundancy?

Size each storage block individually with this tool, then ensure the sum of n units meets your runtime requirement even if one asset is offline for maintenance.

Does the model include battery degradation?

No. Adjust the usable storage input to account for expected end-of-life capacity so your runtime commitments remain valid late in the asset’s life.

Additional Information

  • Usable storage should reflect depth-of-discharge and reserve state-of-charge policies to protect asset warranty coverage.
  • Renewable backfill assumes generation is coincident with the outage. Use conservative estimates for nighttime or severe-weather events.
  • Delivered efficiency multiplies round-trip battery performance with inverter, transformer, and wiring losses to reflect real-world output.

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