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| Solar Panel - Labatts Plant in Background (Photo credit: chucka_nc) |
Microgrid Keeps the Power Local, Cheap, and Reliable
ties together power from fuel cells, solar panels, wind turbines, and diesel generators ..... to form a microgrid that can operate independently of large, centralized power plants. ..... an emerging smart-grid technology that's providing a cleaner, more reliable, and, in some parts of the country, significantly cheaper alternative to the conventional grid. ..... special software and power electronics to integrate multiple sources of power and energy storage to provide electricity around the clock, even when the sun isn't shining or regulations limit the use of diesel generators ..... If the utility experiences a large spike in demand, the microgrid can respond by selling excess power to the utility. .... The first customers for microgrids are businesses and organizations that can't afford even short power outages—such as jails, hospitals, data centers, and military bases—or remote areas that don't have access to the grid.
This philosophy has to be applied to the growth and consumption of food. Not all of it. But at least some parts of it. People should have the option.
