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  • Author Author: rscasny
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Has the time come for the decentralized power grid?

In some circles, the centralized power grid most nations have is on par with the dinosaur: big, clumsy and a thing of the past.

 

Whether it be the excessive costs of building and maintaining a centralized power grid, the occurrence of too many power blackouts from centralized power, or the risk of hackers and other bad actors impacting its power reliability, the need for a decentralized power grid on a national scale is critical to human civilization.

 

A decentralized power grid can include solar, geothermal, wind, or any number of innovative renewable technologies. They can include microgrids or even what I like to call the home grid. Power is generated locally and more cost effectively.

 

Here's the question: Has the time come for the decentralized power grid?

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  • Decentralized microgrids using renewable energy resources (solar PV, wind, etc.) coupled with energy storage technology have many potential benefits including decreased need for major electricity generation and transmission expansions, ability to generate power locally upon loss of grid supply (island mode), and reduction of green house gas emissions.  Distributed energy resources may also be helpful in solving the emerging problem of charging an increasing number of plug in electric vehicles.  Existing centralized grid infrastructure is not well suited to charging a cul-de-sac filled with Tesla's.

     

    The technology is largely available, but costs need to be considered. The impacts on customer behavior created by switching to a new energy model will need to be carefully thought through.

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  • Decentralized microgrids using renewable energy resources (solar PV, wind, etc.) coupled with energy storage technology have many potential benefits including decreased need for major electricity generation and transmission expansions, ability to generate power locally upon loss of grid supply (island mode), and reduction of green house gas emissions.  Distributed energy resources may also be helpful in solving the emerging problem of charging an increasing number of plug in electric vehicles.  Existing centralized grid infrastructure is not well suited to charging a cul-de-sac filled with Tesla's.

     

    The technology is largely available, but costs need to be considered. The impacts on customer behavior created by switching to a new energy model will need to be carefully thought through.

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