Microgrid Evolution and Its Impact on Remote Communities

A microgrid’s name indicates what it is all about. A small power grid that is self- contained. In other words, it is not connected to the greater power grids of the world. It is in one sense renewable energy. It will not be depleted by connection to the larger power grid.

The microgrid can also utilize different sources of renewable energy such as wind and solar. This is done on a small basis, and it can be accomplished without having to involve the greater and larger power source. This opens the door to innovation by remote communities.

Its solo status, or disconnection, can turn out to be a great advantage as it is not subject to being disrupted by events outside its control. That is where the term sustainability comes into play. It means power can be maintained at a certain level without interference.

The microgrid is not a new idea. It is, however, evolving into something that has great appeal in the 21st century where fears of power disruption or interference are real and prevalent.

An example is a massive storm that knocks out power on a large scale. A small remote or rural community can keep their power on due to the microgrid which is not affected by the storm’s cascading effect on power lines.

Let us examine where microgrids originated, and how they can impact the current and future demands for electricity.

HISTORY OF MICROGRIDS

The original concept of a microgrid goes back to 1882. Thomas Edison created the Manhattan Pearl Street Station. It was designed to provide direct electricity to a small, designated area of New York City. Its size was limited by the technology of the time. There was no greater system for connection.

As the demand for power increased through the years, the idea of a microgrid fell out of usage. In order to provide the growing demand, electrical systems needed to be connected.

This was all before the terms renewable energy and sustainability came into part of the electricity vocabulary. History has now come full circle with microgrids being part and parcel of the solution to the preservation of power to remote communities.

ADVANTAGES OF MICROGRID

The big advantage is the reliability, or sustainability, of the power source. The recipients of the microgrid do not have to worry about a power outage in another part of their state or even an adjoining state taking out their power.

Another advantage is control. The microgrid can be utilized in a manner which suits a small area such as a remote community or a college campus. It provides that entity with the security of safe and protected electrical service.

There is a real fear of power disruptions from outside forces. Microgrids guard against that threat. It is a small system that cannot easily be put out of action. That is in tune with the sustainability of the system. Remote communities need to know that their power is safe from outside interference.

CURRENT USES

College campuses are a current example of microgrids. They maintain a separate system which provides all the electrical needs including heating and cooling for classrooms, dorms, and any other building on campus.

Some of these campuses produce not only electricity but steam heat. This insulates them from the risk of an overtaxed power grid. That is one of the major advantages of a microgrid.

Remote communities are coming in right behind those campuses. Rural life shares many of the same needs as colleges. It is all about protection from large scale power failures.

FUTURE OF MICROGRIDS

The future is bright for this source of electricity. There are well founded fears of electrical failure in big systems. This may be due to a large and unsustainable power demand. It could also result from a deliberate sabotage of the power grid.

More and more college campuses and rural communities are recognizing the need to be disconnected from large power grids. Dependence on the availability of power from those grids is a real concern.

The solution and most feasible option are the microgrid. Evolution has taken the power system back to the days of Thomas Edison when a grid served a small area. Today is all about safety and sustainability. People want to know that they have dependable electricity because modern life has become totally dependent on power.

Anytime a power outage occurs everyone looks for solutions whether it is a home generator or other source of power. The microgrid meets the needs and fears of remote communities and their inhabitants.

Sustainability and renewable energy are the catch phrases of the future. They imply that power will be available and dependable. Microgrids meet the definitions of both of these terms.

POSSIBILITIES FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES

A remote or rural community is a great use of the microgrid. The power demand is far less than a densely populated urban area. The need for dependable electricity is just as important.

Remote communities want to be self-sustaining. They do not want to have their power disrupted due to an accident or sabotage of an urban power source. In essence, they want control of their future power needs.

In many ways rural and remote communities resemble college campuses. They are well defined small areas that can be easily served by a microgrid. The community can decide on the type and source of power. They can control their destiny as far as power needs are concerned.

In summary, microgrids are evolving from a system set up by Thomas Edison to serve an urban area to one that is perfectly designed for a remote community. That small area needs to know that their power source is protected from outside forces as much as possible.

Evolution is a strange and unpredictable force. The fact that the power industry is moving from Edison to microgrids might have been unforeseeable, but it makes perfect sense for the remote community. They need their own source of power that is safe and reliable. That is the future of microgrids.