Tools · Microgrid screening

Microgrid vs firm baseload — what should you buy next?

This tool screens PV + ~3–4 hour BESS peak flexibility / peak shift. It does not replace long-duration diesel baseload with batteries. For many-hour firm power (gas / LPG / methanol), use the Gas-to-Power calculator.

~3–4 h microgrid scope · live update · CRM-ready lead block

Start here · decision tree

Which path fits your site?

Customers often say “microgrid” when they mean long diesel runtime. Pick the route that matches the hours and firmness you actually need.

Route A · Firm baseload

Firm baseload / many hours

Gas, LPG or methanol replacing daily diesel. Size baseload CAPEX in the gas-to-power calculator — not with multi-day BESS.

Open gas-to-power calculator

Route B · Peak flexibility

3–4 hour battery flexibility / peak shift

Use this microgrid tool. PV + BESS covers evening peaks and short flexibility — not long-duration fuel replacement.

Use this microgrid tool

Route C · Strong grid

Strong grid, storage-led

Stay on this tool. Emergency backup may be diesel or gas when outages are infrequent.

Use this microgrid tool

Microgrid BESS is not long-duration baseload. Emergency diesel is OK when rarely run.

Live calculator

Few inputs. One recommended next buy (within ~3–4 h scope).

Defaults assume a diesel-backed industrial or island site with some PV planned. If annual diesel hours look like firm baseload, the headline will route you to Gas-to-Power while still suggesting short microgrid peak blocks.

PV installed capacity (MW)

Existing diesel capacity (MW)

BESS power (MW) Use 0 if none yet

BESS energy (MWh) Use 0 if none yet · suggest ~3–4 h

Rough diesel fuel cost (USD/L)

Project goal — choose one

Cut diesel peak spend Displace prime-time diesel with PV + ~3–4 h BESS Lower LCOE / firmer renewables Directional ~3–4 h firming — no exact $/kWh claim

Grid strength — choose one

Strong / normal grid Storage-led microgrid; emergency diesel or gas OK when infrequent Weak / island grid Include grid-forming PCS / EMS for island or weak-grid operation

Optional advanced assumptions

Diesel specific consumption (L/kWh)

Annual operating hours ≥5000 with diesel → firm baseload route hint

Recommended next buy —

Updates live as you change inputs. Screening heuristic only · ~3–4 h BESS scope.

Est. annual diesel fuel spend (status quo) —

Indicative diesel peak-window displacement — Directional only — not full baseload retirement

Suggested BESS add (~3–4 h) — MWh energy + MW PCS within microgrid scope

Suggested next CAPEX focus — Storage/PV/EMS or gas-to-power baseload

Why this recommendation

Disclaimer: This tool is a preliminary screening aid for discussion with CIMC ENRIC. It is not a commercial quotation, FEED deliverable, or exact LCOE study. Microgrid suggestions stay around ~3–4 hour battery flexibility. Final sizing requires load profile, site conditions, grid code and commercial review.

NEXT STEP · SALES LEAD

Share this screening with CIMC sales

Your calculator snapshot is attached to the CRM lead so the CIMC sales team can follow up with the right technical and commercial questions. Diesel MW, fuel cost, goal and Route hint are always included.

Company

Contact name

Phone / WhatsApp

Country / project region

Expected project timing

Optional customer note

CRM description snapshot (auto-filled, read-only)

Sends a preliminary screening brief to CIMC sales — not a commercial quotation.

Baseload CAPEX vs microgrid solution

Firm / many-hour power → Gas-to-Power. Short peak flexibility → BESS / microgrid solution. Project calculator stays unchanged and is not part of this routing.

Tool · Baseload CAPEX

Gas-to-Power calculator

Size gas / LPG / methanol baseload CAPEX when diesel runs many hours. Use this when microgrid BESS cannot cover firm power.

Open /gas-to-power-calculator → Solution · ~3–4 h storage

BESS and Microgrid

Grid-forming storage and hybrid power islands for peak flexibility — not long diesel baseload replacement.

View /solutions/bess-microgrid