Dive Summary:

• In the wake of power outages caused by monster storms, state and local officials are becoming more and more interested in the concept of independent microgrid energy systems.
• Some experts caution that microgrids, which are a form of smart grid technology, might not be realistic in developing countries considering the learning curve associated with the infrastructure.
• Establishing standards for microgrids is also a concern, and panelists at a Washington, D.C. panel described demonstrations at two federal agencies designed to undertake this endeavor.

From the article:

For state and local officials fed up with record-breaking power outages caused by monster storms, the concept of microgrid energy systems that have the ability to operate independently of the power grid sounds like the way to go.

And, in fact, more than 130 mayors throughout Connecticut, where some towns lost power for nearly two weeks following a freak snowstorm last fall, recommended the deployment of microgrids to Gov. Dan Malloy earlier this year. ...