| Microgrids are an old concept, but recently they've garnered renewed interest within the power sector. For years, utilities have invested in centralized plants, building miles and miles of transmission lines to ship power where it needs to go.
But lately, that has changed. An aging grid and recent severe storms have highlighted the need for resiliency. Regulators in some states have opened dockets to collect solutions for boosting resiliency; utilities have also proposed projects targeting that goal. And many of these solutions contain microgrids.
But finding the right design and financing is no easy task. Every potential microgrid site holds unique needs and utilities must accommodate them without adding substantially to utilities' cost. That could prove controversial, as some utilities explore rate-base opportunities, and others look to private-public partnerships.
We explore these issues and more in this spotlight. See some news on microgrids or potential solutions? Send them our way through Twitter or the links below.
 Krysti Shallenberger
Associate Editor, Utility Dive
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 News and Trends
| Feature Story These facilities could be going mainstream as big utilities ramp up C&I services. |
| Feature Story Utilities are searching for standardized microgrid models that allow both end users and the wider grid to benefit. |
| Feature Story The 63 MW microgrid can swiftly convert into one operating on solar and storage. |
| Feature Story Thinking of microgrids as public infrastructure — and financing them like it — could point the industry to new growth. |
| Feature Story Microgrids are best known for the backup generation they provide, but the evolving electric grid means there are many more uses. |
Featured Resources | By using PA’s scenario planning framework – FutureWorlds™, utilities can plan for their preferred and likely microgrid futures, and explore a variety of ownership/business strategies to penetrate those worlds. Download our infographic. |
| What are the energy infrastructure technologies that will have the same impact as the modem, the computer mouse, or the laptop did in the early days of the tech revolution? Learn more. |
| A dedicated Federal organization wielding the right tools to attract and deploy mission-focused private capital can increase public/private sector collaboration, leading to an uptick in U.S. Federal microgrid deployments. Learn more. |
What We're Reading
 Power Magazine |
 Microgrid Knowledge |
 GreenBiz |
 The Guardian |
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