One promising and reliable solution is a microgrid. Microgrids are not mentioned in the Easton Climate Action Plan but are a natural fit for the issues and goals of the city. Microgrids are small-scale power grids that work independently or in collaboration with the ‘macrogrid’ (i.e. the standard grid supplying energy). Microgrids have a wide range of benefits for energy infrastructure and the environment. They allow for local management of power supply and demand, which increases energy efficiency and prevents waste. The local nature of the grid increases energy reliability and security in case of macrogrid outages, as well as reducing transmission losses (also known as line losses) that come with sending energy over long distances. They also provide resilience against extreme weather or cyber attacks focused on the macrogrid. Because of these benefits, microgrids tend to reduce outage frequency and duration, while reducing cost by anticipating and accommodating peak loads. Most notably, these benefits reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is the primary focus of the Easton CAP
As a relatively new technology, microgrids have undergone significant testing to determine their feasibility. The creation of the Microgrid Research and Development Team under the Department of Energy in 1999 represents the first government examination of the technology, which was funded by the Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions, which came from the DOE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability and the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research program. MIT, in collaboration with the Masdar Institute, has also done substantial research into microgrids and how to make them most effective. They found that one of the most appealing features of the microgrid lies in its flexibility- it can act as an isolated power grid, or be connected to the central power system. This flexibility is also appealing when considering energy generation: these systems can incorporate renewable energy sources like wind and solar power in tandem with diesel generators to ensure reliable energy when it is not sunny or windy enough for green energy sources and can purchase energy from the central power system if all else fails.
Because of this flexibility, microgrids serve to fulfill a few of the goals established in the Easton CAP, specifically concerning EP3. While separate from residential goals in the CAP, production and consumption are part of the same system and must be considered interconnected aspects of the energy infrastructure of Easton, which is why our focus is not limited to the RB aspects of the CAP. The stated goals of EP-3 are as follows:
EP-3A– Support proposed legislation that would enable community solar projects, where multiple parties share ownership of a central solar generation site if they cannot install renewables on their own property
EP-3B– Explore Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) as a means of increasing local control over electricity sources to receive lower carbon electricity at a lower price.
EP-3C– Prioritize local renewable electricity options. Consider options for financing a renewable power project that could sell power to a retail supplier and then to consumers at a low cost. An RFI could explore developer interest in this type of project. Consider any renewable energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal)
These goals are directly aligned with the functions of a microgrid, which would integrate more renewable energy options into our energy infrastructure for a reduced price, encourage further renewable energy investments, and increase community involvement by catering the microgrid portfolio and output to the needs of the citizens.