Apabila populasi global terus berkembang, terdapat peningkatan permintaan untuk elektrik. Namun, terdapat beberapa cabaran yang perlu ditangani. Pada masa ini, lebih daripada satu bilion orang di seluruh dunia tidak mempunyai akses kepada grid tenaga, termasuk kira-kira 200,000 orang di Kanada yang tidak disambungkan ke grid elektrik Amerika Utara dan sistem saluran paip pengedaran gas asli.

Bencana alam dan kejadian cuaca ekstrem juga menyebabkan gangguan bekalan kuasa, menyebabkan pemadaman besar-besaran yang boleh berlarutan selama beberapa hari. Selain itu, apabila satu komponen sistem penghantaran gagal, ia boleh menjejaskan keseluruhan grid, mengakibatkan gangguan bekalan elektrik yang meluas.

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.

Satu contoh microgrid yang ketara ialah yang dibina di Sendai, Jepun lebih sedekad yang lalu. Microgrid ini dikuasakan oleh gabungan tenaga suria, gas dan storan bateri. Semasa tsunami dan gempa bumi 2011 yang dahsyat, grid mikro Sendai membekalkan kuasa dan haba kepada hospital pengajar Universiti Tohoku Fukushi, memastikan perkhidmatan penting dikekalkan walaupun semasa pemadaman yang 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 komuniti terpencil di seluruh Kanada yang sangat bergantung pada mikrogrid berkuasa diesel untuk penjanaan elektrik. Menyedari keperluan untuk pilihan yang lebih hijau, kerajaan persekutuan Kanada telah bekerjasama dengan entiti serantau sepanjang dekad yang lalu untuk meneroka dan melaksanakan penyelesaian tenaga yang lebih mampan. Selain membekalkan elektrik, mikrogrid juga boleh memainkan peranan penting dalam mengakses air minuman bersih dengan menjanakan proses rawatan.

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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