"One of the driving factors for our decision was scalability. Other open-source options provided fast messaging, but none of them were able to scale like EMQX. We needed that scalability. The EMQX dashboard is straightforward to use with more functionality than other choices, easy to troubleshoot, and all setup was done within the dashboard."
Tim Barringer, Director of Software Engineering at RavenVolt.
Overview
A microgrid is a localized power source that can operate independently or in conjunction with the traditional utility grid. By integrating distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage, microgrids offer superior reliability, improved energy efficiency, and a resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding natural disasters and cyber-attacks.
RavenVolt specializes in providing these tailored, onsite energy solutions. Their microgrids allow facilities to take full charge of their energy costs while maintaining a near-limitless power reserve, boosting grid resiliency, and significantly reducing carbon emissions.
The Challenge: Mission-Critical Data in Complex Environments
As businesses increasingly turn to microgrids to meet sustainability goals and ensure power during grid disruptions, the technical challenge lies in the reliability of the data loop. To manage a microgrid effectively, RavenVolt needed to:
- Support High-Frequency Data: Monitor sensors, solar arrays, and generators at 5-second intervals.
- Overcome Connectivity Hurdles: Ensure reliable message delivery over private cellular networks, which can be prone to fluctuations.
- Scale Without Limits: Find a messaging solution that could grow from a single site to a massive network of microgrids without performance degradation.
- Prepare for Extremes: Maintain visibility during severe weather events, such as hurricanes, where power recovery and proactive monitoring are most critical.
The Solution: EMQX as the Heart of the Messaging Ecosystem
RavenVolt integrated the EMQX MQTT broker as the central nervous system of its messaging architecture. The solution facilitates a seamless flow of data from the edge to the cloud:
- Reliable Cellular Transmission: EMQX enables each microgrid location to send and receive messages efficiently over cellular networks, ensuring data integrity even in remote or harsh environments.
- High-Frequency Monitoring: The platform collects data from onsite sensors every 5 seconds, pushing local SCADA data directly to the Azure Cloud for real-time processing.
- Unrivaled Scalability: RavenVolt chose EMQX specifically for its ability to out-scale other open-source options, providing a future-proof foundation for their growing fleet of energy assets.
- Centralized Management: The EMQX dashboard provides a "one-stop" interface for setup, troubleshooting, and advanced functionality, allowing RavenVolt’s engineering team to manage the entire deployment from a single point of truth.
The Results: Precision Control and Predictable Power
The synergy between EMQ and RavenVolt has transformed how facilities manage their energy lifecycle:
- Real-Time Performance Optimization: High-speed data allows RavenVolt to proactively monitor microgrid health, catching potential problems before they lead to power loss.
- Virtual Power Plant Capabilities: RavenVolt provides users with easy-to-use virtual power plant tools, putting the power to control costs and predict energy needs directly into the hands of the facility managers.
- Superior Resiliency: The ability to monitor weather patterns in real-time ensures microgrids can preemptively adjust to avoid outages and recover faster after major disruptions like hurricanes.
- Sustainability Realized: By optimizing the efficiency of distributed resources, RavenVolt helps customers meet aggressive emissions reduction goals while maintaining 100% power uptime.