Jul 31, 2013
Microgrids: Very Expensive, Seriously Necessary
The state of Connecticut announced last week that it would build nine "microgrids" to deliver more reliable power, including at the police station in Bridgeport, the naval submarine base in Groton, the St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, and the campus of Wesleyan University. The cost to taxpayers: $18 million.
Some readers might say: $18 million? For, what, some backup generators? And what is a microgrid anyway?
It is no coincidence that Connecticut is pushing the envelope of power innovation. Last October, Hurricane Sandy knocked power out to 625,000 homes and businesses, revealing how inadequate the the existing power system is in the face of superstorms. "Today marks another step forward for how we handle extreme weather," said Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy.