Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This course will review real-world use cases for Microgrid Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Attendees should walk away from the course with a solid understanding of what a BESS is, why to install a BESS, and how to identify sites that are good fits for BESS. This course will show operating installations in the field and highlight use cases such as utility bill savings through demand charge management and time of use energy arbitrage, revenue opportunities through demand response programs, and backup power. We will look at small-scale through large-scale community & C&I projects.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
Lessons Learned:
1. Understand that implementing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can significantly improve health outcomes by ensuring reliable power for essential medical issues during outages.
2. Analyze the safety benefits of Microgrid systems, which provide backup power and enhance resilience against natural disasters and other emergencies.
3. Introduce the concept of community welfare by leveraging BESS to reduce energy costs, allowing funds to be redirected towards local social programs and services.
4. Articulate the importance of identifying appropriate sites for BESS installations to optimize energy efficiency and promote sustainable practices within communities.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/microgrid-bess-use-cases-for-resilience
Speakers: Laura Williams & John Branagan
Laura Williams, a graduate of North Carolina State University, started her energy career in industrial energy efficiency. After pivoting to the realm of distributed energy, she found her passion in accelerating microgrid deployment to address issues like grid resilience, energy access, and climate change. Laura supports various aspects of early-stage project engineering, working closely with customers to understand the unique goals of their project and making recommendations on how to best implement after careful assessment. To ensure customer confidence and a smooth project execution process, she supports feasibility modeling, design review and technical customer support.
John “JB” Branagan has been in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry for over a decade after having been a “green” consumer for 25years, installing his original DHW Solar Thermal system in the early 2000s.
He has since updated his home to Heat Pump water heating, Heat Pump “mini-split” heating and cooling, upgraded to Solar PV, added a whole home back up battery energy storage system, and EV charging for his (used) EV.
JB has been working for Generac Clean Energy since 2021 educating customers in the Northeast.
This course will review real-world use cases for Microgrid Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Attendees should walk away from the course with a solid understanding of what a BESS is, why to install a BESS, and how to identify sites that are good fits for BESS. This course will show operating installations in the field and highlight use cases such as utility bill savings through demand charge management and time of use energy arbitrage, revenue opportunities through demand response programs, and backup power. We will look at small-scale through large-scale community & C&I projects.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
Lessons Learned:
1. Understand that implementing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can significantly improve health outcomes by ensuring reliable power for essential medical issues during outages.
2. Analyze the safety benefits of Microgrid systems, which provide backup power and enhance resilience against natural disasters and other emergencies.
3. Introduce the concept of community welfare by leveraging BESS to reduce energy costs, allowing funds to be redirected towards local social programs and services.
4. Articulate the importance of identifying appropriate sites for BESS installations to optimize energy efficiency and promote sustainable practices within communities.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/microgrid-bess-use-cases-for-resilience
Speakers: Laura Williams & John Branagan
Laura Williams, a graduate of North Carolina State University, started her energy career in industrial energy efficiency. After pivoting to the realm of distributed energy, she found her passion in accelerating microgrid deployment to address issues like grid resilience, energy access, and climate change. Laura supports various aspects of early-stage project engineering, working closely with customers to understand the unique goals of their project and making recommendations on how to best implement after careful assessment. To ensure customer confidence and a smooth project execution process, she supports feasibility modeling, design review and technical customer support.
John “JB” Branagan has been in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry for over a decade after having been a “green” consumer for 25years, installing his original DHW Solar Thermal system in the early 2000s.
He has since updated his home to Heat Pump water heating, Heat Pump “mini-split” heating and cooling, upgraded to Solar PV, added a whole home back up battery energy storage system, and EV charging for his (used) EV.
JB has been working for Generac Clean Energy since 2021 educating customers in the Northeast.
