By Meghan Briggs
In 2022, electricity costs in the United States rose by 14.3% for the average consumer compared to 2021. Power outages due to severe weather have doubled since 2002, causing extended losses of electricity and endangering lives. In the absence of affordable cooling, heatwaves threaten the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. Microgrids, among other emerging energy technologies, can help make the U.S. energy grid more resilient and reliable in the face of these challenges. If implemented in a way that centers energy equity and justice, microgrids can also help make the U.S. energy system more equitable. This article explores microgrids and discusses how they are being deployed to improve energy reliability and resilience and to support energy equity and justice for vulnerable communities.
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