What Microgrids Need From Policy Makers Now

What do microgrid developers need from policymakers now? Rob Thornton, president and CEO of IDEA, explains how Hurricane Sandy made micro grids ”cool.” But regulations and policy still stand in the way of realizing the many benefits of microgrids, which can provide reliable power, especially during storms like Sandy. Mayors, CEOs, schools and universities are beginning to see the advantages of microgrids, he says. But developers should be properly compensated for the important services they provide. And regulators need to understand that microgrids don’t pull loads off the grid; they work in conjunction with the grid. IDEA–the International District Energy Association– is now in its 150th year.