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The decision by
While only a few communities have become early adopters and natural disasters have been a driving force, proponents say there is also growing interest nationwide from places looking to save money by selling excess power to utilities and to help the environment.
Tipping points for
"The town found itself in a vulnerable position when the aging infrastructure would fail," Fleming said, adding that the planned renewable energy switch would cover the town hall, the highway garage, and police and fire departments. A committee has been formed to refine the plan and figure out its costs.
"Campus microgrids" are familiar at places like hospitals and industrial plants, but development of the more sprawling "community microgrids" has been slowed by technical and regulatory hurdles. There's also been a mixed response from utility companies, ranging from resistance to a threat to their franchise to embracing microgrids as a business opportunity.
That puts
Built with the help of a
Unlike
"It's a good deal for us," said
Burr said there is strong interest in increasing reliance on renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. And some communities see value in using locally-generated power to bolster their economies.
In
"
The immediate goal, Rhodes said, is helping fund "a pipeline of high-quality projects" in 2017 that will promote more interest in microgrids.
In
"They believed in windmills," he said. "Why shouldn't we?"