HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston is the energy capital of the country. From oil and gas to the renewable sector, there are always new advances and upgrades being made to help keep the statewide power grid running.
Texas is a state that solely depends on its own power grid for electricity, which can come with its challenges, especially during extreme weather and peak demand. That's why many have turned to other ways to keep the lights on in their home through backup sources of power. One innovation on the rise for collecting and storing power is the microgrid.
A microgrid is a localized, small-scale version of an electric grid. It can operate either with or independently of a main grid, thanks to other power sources that are connected to it. For example, say ABC13 has its own generator, solar panels, and a battery backup system in addition to being connected to the Texas grid. A microgrid at ABC13 would then help discern which of these power sources to use and when to maximize energy efficiency and power use. Plus, if the main Texas grid were to go down, this microgrid would be able to safely keep the power on by transitioning to one of the other three.
Examples of a few places that utilize microgrids are hospitals, data centers, and major manufacturing centers. As for the price tag, it varies, but that's not the place to start. Energy experts tell ABC13 you first must have a few different ways to source power already. The first step to making a home or business more resilient to power outages is to look into some of the separate elements of a microgrid, such as solar panels, a generator, or battery energy storage systems.
All in all, microgrids are another way to help keep the lights on, even in the harshest conditions or times of peak demand, like during heat waves or cold snaps.
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