Cummins has celebrated the opening of a new microgrid lab known as the Power Integration Center (PIC) at its Power Systems facility in Fridley, Minnesota. The PIC is a facility that allows for the configuration, integration, and testing of power system technologies including diesel and natural gas generator sets, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, battery storage systems, fuel cells, transfer switches, switchgear, and system-level controls.
“The PIC is the realisation of a significant investment in engineering technology and innovation that will impact how companies use and build power systems to meet sustainability goals for a greener future,” said Gary Johansen, Vice President Power Systems Engineering and Project Sponsor.
With changing regulations, increasing cost of operation, inclement weather conditions, and the instability of power grids, customers are driving the need for more reliable and efficient microgrid solutions, says Cummins. The Power Integration Center allows it the ability to experiment with multiple potential power system solutions directly along with its engineers, giving time savings, cost savings, and the ability to optimise unique power systems.
“With this centre, we’ll be able to enhance our offerings throughout the product lifecycle,” said Satish Jayaram, IDEA Program Office Leader and Project Sponsor. “We’ll reduce the cost and time it takes to test and validate solutions and have the capability to showcase these solutions with customers and partners.”
“We are always looking for ways to react to the needs of the market and improve our business,” added Gary. “Our customers are placing an even higher value on flexible and well-integrated solutions and this centre will help us speed up the time it takes to deliver those new solutions.”
