Lessons Learned from California’s Pioneering Microgrids

> These demonstration microgrids are delivering a reported utility bill savings of 20 percent to 60 percent, primarily in avoided demand charges, and some have successfully islanded during power outages.

Super promising. Especially considering how many parts of the state face zero power this summer when PG&E tapers transmission in fire-prone areas [0, 1].

Not that power is normally that reliable in rural parts of the state. I had a friend in rural Sierra county who would regularly experience intermittent black-outs. If the line running down the canyon to Sierra City (pop. 221) was knocked out by a fallen tree it could take a day or two for PG&E to restore power.

[0] https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natu...

[1] https://www.wsj.com/articles/pg-es-radical-plan-to-prevent-w...