On Thursday, June 11th, MAP hosted its Energy Learning Network (ELN) virtual roundtable to discuss the future of microgrids. They were joined by Roy Torbert of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), as well as various representatives within MAP’s State Future Caucus Network, including Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, Rep. Quentin Phipps, Rep. Brandon Woodard, Rep. Karin Power.
Torbert kicked the webinar off with a presentation detailing the ways in which energy insecurity could disrupt our everyday life. Although it’s been over 150 years, phenomena like the Carrington Event would be devastating towards our current energy systems. This occurrence was the largest solar flare to hit the Earth and caused immense disruptions to the network of telegraphs during that time. Since then our dependence on energy has grown exponentially, however we would still be unprepared if faced with a similar natural disaster. Anything that uses power––satellites, hospitals, military bases––would be at high risk. Torbert stressed the important role that these technologies and facilities play, pointing out the potential harm if a hospital were to lose power for even a minute. For example, patients that are on life support or dealing with other medical emergencies require unceasing access to medical technology. While it’s standard for hospitals to have backup generators, most are unable to completely fulfill the energy demands of the facility. Diesel generators also tend to go unmaintained and do not always perform when needed. Many of these problems fall away with widespread microgrid implementation.
A microgrid is a combination of technologies––solar, battery storage, diesel backup, and a computer control system––designed to stand alone and produce its own energy independently if needed. This offers flexibility if the larger, main grid were to ever be compromised. A network of microgrids would benefit campuses, hospitals, military bases, and remote locations in particular because of the added flexibility and energy security.
Rep. Phipps (D-CT) asked about the affordability of transitioning to a microgrid system. While it’s true that the grid has already been built, Torbert argued that the security a microgrid system could bring is invaluable. He also noted that solar technology has become more cost efficient and that renewables will be the future of energy.
Natural disasters and other freak incidents don’t seem so far-fetched in the midst of the current pandemic. Rep. Gilchrest (D-CT) noted that an energy emergency caused by a natural disaster would likely expose inequities in a similar way that COVID-19 has. She maintained that we need to prepare now. Rep.Woodard (D-KS) also chimed in, stating that prioritizing military bases and campuses would make for an excellent opportunity to advance post-partisan legislation. Every system has a limit of adaptive capacity; by investing in the future of energy — through roundtables like this with MAP’s ELN — we can begin to protect ourselves from ever having to test these limits.