As we’ve written previously on this blog, microgrids are not a new concept. They have existed in one form or another for decades. But microgrids today provide new capabilities that offer great promise, and have sparked significant interest. Here are three major benefits offered by modern microgrids: A more resilient energy supply. Particularly following Hurricane [...]
Tag Archives | Microgrids
The Economical Solution for Electrification Is also the Green Solution
Those of us who can view this blog entry presumably have access to electricity to power or charge whatever device you’re currently using. However, many communities lack any access to electric power, let alone reliable access. The problem is particularly acute in Africa. Over 1 billion people live in Africa, yet only 3.1% of global [...]
Latest Microgrid Technology Holds Promise for Rural Communities
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that rural electric cooperatives and small municipal utilities in 15 states will be able to receive loan guarantees to improve generation and transmission facilities, including $10 million for smart grid implementations. These investments will help rural America renew and modernize power grid infrastructure serving America’s smaller communities. Another approach [...]
India Power Outages Shine a Spotlight on Microgrids
Much of the reporting on India’s recent power outages focused on the number of people who lost power, which is a huge number. But one of the things I found most interesting is the number of people and businesses that didn’t. The outage was not the catastrophe it could have been because many power users [...]
Military Renewables: Why More Than Money is at Stake
In 2011, the U.S. Army spent five billion dollars on renewable energies. But why does the Army care so much about renewable energy? The answer is simple: lives and public funds are at stake. In wartime, soldiers risk their lives protecting the convoys that deliver fossil fuels to the frontlines. The Army Environment Policy Institute [...]
Why Do We Keep Hearing About Microgrids?
Just under 10 years ago, I started hearing people mention the term “Smart Grid.” It mostly revolved around people talking about the installation and adoption of automated metering infrastructure and renewables. Over the years friends and colleagues would ask me, “Why do I keep hearing about the Smart Grid?,” and I would tell them about [...]
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