#169 - Microgrids

With the ever presenting threat of climate change looming, and the increasing severity of natural disasters it will bring, concerns on the reliability of Australia’s regional power grid during times of crisis. Due to Australia’s low population density particularly in rural and regional communities, electricity travel great distances from power stations to these communities. This makes them particularly vulnerable to failure during natural disasters, cutting off residents’ access to basic necessities and hindering rescue efforts. Research into microgrids shows promising results that the implementation of small, local electricity grids powered using renewables can provide a stable source of electricity when mainlines fail during times of crisis. Featuring: Dr. Sarah Niklas; Senior Research Consultant at the Institute for Sustainable Futures University of Technology Sydney. Host: Cameron M. Furlong Music: Web Building Serge Quadrado, LASERS Porto