Microgrids Strive for Position in Rough-and-Tumble Energy Politics
The scope of microgrid opportunities – and the forces that still hinder them – became apparent last week as more than 100 microgrid insiders gathered in Washington, D.C. They were there to educate lawmakers about the technology and to powwow about the industry’s future.
Called “Microgrids: Transforming the Grid,” the event represented a kind of coming-of-age for the microgrid industry, a coalescing of resources into political clout in the rough-and-tumble regulatory and policy arenas that heavily influence energy markets..
A common theme emerged out of the series of panel discussions. Microgrids offer dramatic change in the way we use energy. Government hasn't been able to keep up. Old rules get in the way of fostering local energy supply that is more reliable, efficient and clean.
As summed up by Chris Berendt, counsel to the Microgrid Resources Coalition: “We now have technology that has significantly overclocked the tariff and regulatory frameworks in place."...Continue reading on Microgrid Knowledge.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
7 年Elisa - Generally speaking, for those in the mission critical systems business, the "microgrid" has been here for decades and is most likely here to stay. The mission critical environments have many examples of the "microgrid" albeit not to the exact definition being discussed in current format. It has been my experience the "micro-grid" also depends on "customer need" and what pans out in the business case, risk analysis, and financial analysis in relation to the "energy loading order".