It is clear why city leaders are turning their attention to community microgrids. Energy is the lifeblood of any contemporary community, and severe storms in recent years have revealed the vulnerability of the central grid. The American electorate knows this and is concerned. In a March 2015 Gallup poll 88 percent of those surveyed described … [Read more...]
What Mayors and City Leaders Need to Know about Community Microgrids
Towns and cities are awakening to the importance of community microgrids; to the value of gaining control over their energy supply, and ensuring that it is clean, efficient and secure. Recent storms and power outages have accelerated the trend, as has the realization among local officials that developing local energy can help municipalities: ▶▶ … [Read more...]
New York Issues $40M Community Microgrid Solicitation
New York is offering $40 million for community microgrids to cut energy costs and boost electric reliability, consumer choice, and energy efficiency. Called the NY Prize, the program has been in the works since January 2014, when it was announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. New York follows California, Connecticut and New Jersey in putting money on the … [Read more...]
How to Make Many Community Microgrids: The Hunters Point Model
If neighborhoods controlled their power supply, chances are many would opt for clean and efficient energy, especially if it’s cost-effective. But energy choices aren’t left to the locals in the United States. Instead, utilities, cities and states determine our mix of power plants. Communities might have more say if they develop their own … [Read more...]
How to Make Many Community Microgrids: The Hunters Point Model
If neighborhoods controlled their power supply, chances are many would opt for clean and efficient energy, especially if it’s cost-effective. But energy choices aren’t left to the locals in the United States. Instead, utilities, cities and states determine our mix of power plants. Communities might have more say if they develop their own … [Read more...]