What Is Microgrid?

If you've ever thought about the future of energy, you might have imagined a world where small-scale power grids coexist with larger ones. The idea is that every household or business would have its local energy source, allowing them to become more independent from traditional power grids. That's a microgrid. The microgrid has been around for some time, but only recently has it become possible to implement on a large scale. It's also one of the most promising ideas in energy generation and distribution today, as it allows for a more well-organized use of resources and greater control over the production and delivery of electricity. Microgrids are also connected to the power grid but can function alone because they have their generating capacity, storage facilities, and distribution networks. The goal is to create smaller, more resilient systems because they are less dependent on outside resources (e.g., fuel).In the past, large-scale electrical grids served many citizens of modernized first-world countries. The idea was to run electricity on an economy of scale. A massive amount of power supplied by nuclear, coal or other energy sources would provide large communities with the needed electrical energy. However, this system has its flaws. Firstly, it is expensive to maintain and run these massive centralized generators, not to mention the high cost of building them in the first place. Secondly, there is still the problem of pollution from burning coal or nuclear fuel to provide power for communities that require it. If things go wrong, it can lead to air pollution and even water contamination in surrounding areas. You might have heard the term "microgrid" before. You've seen it on the news or in an article about how a small town could survive a power outage using its energy source. What is a microgrid? Essentially, it's a localized energy network that allows independent operation from the giant grid. It means that if there's an issue with the main line, your property will still have power, and because those repairs are happening much closer to home, they're also more transparent to the people relying on that energy.