Microgrid & Distributed Energy Equipment worked example

Thermal Derating with connected cooling load of 30 kW: a worked example in microgrid & distributed energy equipment

What does the result look like when connected cooling load reaches 30 kW? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use it when enclosure cooling for microgrid and distributed energy power electronics is being sized and you want the energy cost of avoiding thermal derating.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Connected cooling load: 30 kW (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 12)
  • Cooling runtime: 8 hr (unchanged)
  • Blended electricity rate: 0.12 $ / kWh (unchanged)
  • Inverters or cabinets cooled: 1,000 cabinets (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Total derating cooling energy cost = connected cooling load × cooling runtime × blended electricity rate) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 240 kWh for derating cooling energy used, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 28.8 $ for total derating cooling energy cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 0.03 $ / piece for cooling cost per cabinet.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3.6 $ / hr for hourly derating cooling cost.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where connected cooling load sits at 12 kW and the headline result is 96 kWh, this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 240 kWh.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when connected cooling load is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. It assumes the cooling load runs at a constant kW for the full runtime; staged or thermostat-cycled cooling and ambient swings mean real energy varies, so treat this as a steady-state estimate.

Results at a glance

  • Derating cooling energy used: 240 kWh (headline result)
  • Total derating cooling energy cost: 28.8 $
  • Cooling cost per cabinet: 0.03 $ / piece
  • Hourly derating cooling cost: 3.6 $ / hr

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Thermal Derating calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.