Can Microgrids Solve The Impact of Severe Weather On The Energy Grid?

We’ve recently seen “a perfect storm” in Texas, where unprecedented cold weather hit the energy grid hard. Many power plants were knocked offline, unable to respond to the increased energy demand by people seeking to heat their homes. Others faced fuel shortages. Even wind turbines offered little help, as many were unequipped with the heating required to operate in freezing weather.

The weather left millions of people without power, as providers introduced rolling blackouts to reduce the demand on the grid. Over 50 people died from situations such as car crashes, carbon monoxide poisoning, house fires, and hypothermia. U.S. President Joe Biden called a state of emergency.

Many countries seek to lower their carbon emissions and increase their resiliency against the weather changes caused by climate change. In response, technology is transforming how energy is generated, stored, distributed, managed, and consumed. Increased battery and hardware capabilities have combined with a convergence of IoT, blockchain technology, automation, and data science. There’s increased momentum for microgrids: small, localized power grids specific to local sites, neighborhoods, and communities.