Microgrid & Distributed Energy Equipment worked example

Thermal Derating with connected cooling load of 6 kW: a worked example in microgrid & distributed energy equipment

Here is what the math looks like when conditions slip. We hold every other input steady and drop connected cooling load to 6 kW, then walk the calculation through step by step. Estimate the cooling energy and cost needed to keep microgrid and distributed energy power electronics below their thermal derating threshold, so teams can budget HVAC energy, compare enclosure cooling options, or include it in the quote.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Connected cooling load: 6 kW (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 12)
  • Cooling runtime: 8 hr (held at the documented default)
  • Blended electricity rate: 0.12 $ / kWh (held at the documented default)
  • Inverters or cabinets cooled: 1,000 cabinets (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Total derating cooling energy cost = connected cooling load × cooling runtime × blended electricity rate.
  • Derating cooling energy used works out to 48 kWh at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Total derating cooling energy cost works out to 5.76 $ at these inputs.
  • Cooling cost per cabinet works out to 0.01 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Hourly derating cooling cost works out to 0.72 $ / hr at these inputs.

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 50% below the baseline at 48 kWh.
  • The practical read: the gap between this scenario and the baseline is entirely attributable to connected cooling load, so recovering it is worth quantifying in dollars before considering equipment or staffing changes. 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: 48 kWh (headline result)
  • Total derating cooling energy cost: 5.76 $
  • Cooling cost per cabinet: 0.01 $ / piece
  • Hourly derating cooling cost: 0.72 $ / hr

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Thermal Derating calculator, set connected cooling load to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.