At-a-Glance:
Microgrids — a small network of electricity users with access to a local source of energy— are not a new concept, as remote communities have relied on them for decades. A new trend; however, is that a growing number of these microgrids are being controlled by smart algorithms and powered by renewable energy. These new microgrids are changing the way people produce, consume — and share — energy. To learn more, read, “Smart Microgrids: The Future of Sustainable Power.”
Key Takeaways:
- According to some sources, the microgrid market is expected to be worth $47 billion by 2025, up from $28 billion this year.
- Communities are increasingly turning to renewable energy microgrids in an effort to free themselves from dependence on a large and increasingly erratic energy supply.
- Utilities are beginning to recognize they cannot completely guarantee energy supply to their customers, especially in vulnerable areas and at the edges of the grid, leading to more investments in grid resilience research, where renewable microgrids play a huge role.
Path to 100% Perspective:
Smart microgrids may be the future of sustainable power. After natural disasters in California, Puerto Rico and areas across the country highlight the vulnerability of the current electrical grid. Furthermore, many utilities are starting to invest in microgrids and learn how clusters of microgrids can work together when disconnected from the main grid. To keep critical facilities up and running regardless of weather events or grid loads, more and more communities are turning to microgrids that use green, locally produced energy.
Photo: PCmag