Microgrids are gaining traction as an attractive alternative to tapping into the traditional American energy grid, which is good for consumers and businesses that want to lower energy bills and create a secure and more reliable source for their energy needs. A microgrid, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, is a local energy grid with control capability, which means it can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously.
Upfront costs are still expensive, but are likely to fall as microgrids become more popular. Why are they gaining traction? Here’s a great example:
Microgrids can operate in an “island mode,” in which they are independent from the larger grid. They are a great resource for hospitals, data centers and other large facilities that demand a high level of energy reliability. When Hurricane Sandy cut power to 8.5 million people, up to 60 percent of backup diesel generators failed in medical centers and other essential facilities. But, Princeton University’s 20 MW microgrid kept the campus operational in island mode for three days while a connection to the grid was being restored.
Read the full story from Aquicore here.