Seiring dengan pertumbuhan populasi global, kebutuhan akan listrik juga meningkat. Namun, ada beberapa tantangan yang perlu diatasi. Saat ini, lebih dari satu miliar orang di seluruh dunia tidak memiliki akses terhadap jaringan energi, termasuk sekitar 200.000 orang di Kanada yang tidak terhubung ke jaringan listrik Amerika Utara dan sistem pipa distribusi gas alam.

Bencana alam dan peristiwa cuaca ekstrem juga menyebabkan gangguan pasokan listrik, yang menyebabkan pemadaman listrik massal yang dapat berlangsung berhari-hari. Selain itu, jika salah satu komponen sistem transmisi mengalami kegagalan, hal ini dapat berdampak pada keseluruhan jaringan listrik, sehingga mengakibatkan pemadaman listrik secara luas.

To tackle these issues, the concept of microgrids has gained popularity. A microgrid is a energy system that can operate independently or in conjunction with larger grids. It contains all the necessary components to provide electricity to a specific community, typically serving a smaller population of around a thousand or a few hundred people. This approach decentralizes the power supply generation and distribution process, making it more resilient and less prone to grid failures.

Unlike large-scale energy grids that connect buildings to central power supply sources like coal, nuclear, and gas plants, a microgrid functions as an isolated island. This independence can prove beneficial during crises such as storms or outages. Many microgrids utilize a combination of renewable energy sources and batteries, with natural gas serving as backup. While microgrid power supply is not necessarily more reliable, communities located far away from larger power sources can benefit from the localized control and ownership of electricity generation.

Salah satu contoh penting dari microgrid adalah yang dibangun di Sendai, Jepang lebih dari satu dekade lalu. Microgrid ini didukung oleh perpaduan energi matahari, gas, dan penyimpanan baterai. Selama bencana tsunami dan gempa bumi dahsyat pada tahun 2011, microgrid Sendai menyediakan listrik dan pemanas ke rumah sakit pendidikan Universitas Tohoku Fukushi, memastikan layanan-layanan penting tetap terjaga bahkan ketika pemadaman listrik meluas.

The impacts of power outages on society and the economy are significant, and the climate crisis exacerbates these challenges. Jana Ganion, energy director for Blue Lake Rancheria, an Indigenous reserve in California, emphasizes the urgent need for solutions, stating, "Widespread power outages cause a lot of social and economic damage and destruction. And the climate crisis is making all of this worse." Blue Lake Rancheria successfully launched a solar microgrid in 2015, providing electricity to thousands of people nearby when millions of Californians had their power supply shut off due to wildfire risk.

However, setting up a microgrid can be a costly endeavor, particularly in densely populated urban or suburban areas with existing infrastructure. Consumers tend to stick with what is already in place, and for the majority of Canadians, that means relying on hydroelectric power supply. Nuclear and coal plants are also significant power sources in the country. Raising the necessary capital for building power plants, whether they are traditional or microgrids, is challenging for some countries. The autonomy and self-sufficiency that microgrids offer can be especially relevant in such cases.

Terdapat hampir 300 komunitas terpencil di Kanada yang sangat bergantung pada jaringan mikro bertenaga diesel untuk pembangkit listrik. Menyadari perlunya opsi yang lebih ramah lingkungan, pemerintah federal Kanada telah bekerja sama dengan entitas regional selama dekade terakhir untuk mengeksplorasi dan menerapkan solusi energi yang lebih berkelanjutan. Selain menyediakan listrik, microgrid juga berperan penting dalam mengakses air minum bersih dengan menggerakkan proses pengolahan.

In conclusion, the global demand for electricity continues to rise, and challenges such as lack of access to energy grids and disruptions caused by natural disasters persist. Microgrids have emerged as a promising solution, offering localized power supply generation and distribution systems that can operate both independently and in conjunction with larger grids. While establishing microgrids can be costly, they provide autonomy and resilience, especially in remote areas or during crises. Exploring greener options, such as renewable energy sources, battery storage, and natural gas backup, can make microgrids even more sustainable and beneficial for communities.

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Situs web referensi: https://www.cbc.ca