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Mary Szoka

Dr. Fergus & Dr. Duke


ENGR-3970
15 June 2015
A Triple Bottom Line Analysis of Microgrids
As the worlds population continues to grow, humanitys energy consumption and
production practices need to change. Hundreds of years ago the Iroquois thought about how their
actions would affect the future, In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our
decisions on the next seven generations. This embodies the idea of sustainability. Sustainable
development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs (Fergus). This definition needs to be practiced by
developing countries in order to avoid resource depletion. As technology improves, using
sustainable technologies for energy production becomes more and more reasonable. Individual
households and businesses need to set the example and take steps to become self-sustainable in
order to demonstrate to the rest of the world the viability of use of sustainable practices and
renewable energies. One way this can be done is through construction of microgrids.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, microgrids are defined as a group of
interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical
boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid (and can) connect and
disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected and island-mode, (Barr,
Carr, Putnam). They are designed, controlled, and built by the consumer. Sustainable microgrids
use solar, wind, and hydraulic energy to produce power. The concept of sustainable microgrids
has been in use since the early 1920s. Brothers Marcellus and Joe Jacobs worked on a family

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ranch in Montana and were tired of constantly making the three-day trip into town to buy fuel for
the generator that powered their house. As wind had been historically harnessed for pumping
water and grinding grains, the brothers thought to harness this energy to produce electricity.
After much deliberation, they produced their first wind machine in 1922 and supplied clean
electricity to their house. Soon enough, surrounding neighbors were asking to help build their
own wind machines and thus blossomed Jacobs Wind Electric Company Incorporated, which
still exists today (Jacobs Wind Electric). The world needs clean and continuous energy and
microgrids are an excellent way to start independently providing clean energy.
There are many aspects that need to be addressed to fully analyze the practicality of
microgrids. Using renewable energy has many advantages. It is more environmentally friendly
and is proven to enhance health and environmental quality. Although it is referred to as clean
energy the production of wind turbines, solar panels and other sustainable technologies is not as
clean as one would like; it does produce few carbon dioxide emissions. However, while in use
these sustainable technologies do not emit carbon dioxide. What do produce carbon dioxide are
the generators that would be needed for back up if there was an overcast or calm day and the
household/business was not receiving enough power. Another component of microgrids is the
batteries that store the incoming energy. Batteries produce toxic waste that is very difficult to
take care of. Although production of these technologies does generate waste, it is better to
generate waste in production of sustainable technologies than non-sustainable.
Implementation of microgrids would not be viable in stagnant/cloudy places and because
the consumer builds them, they are subject to economic, technical and regulatory constraints.
However, microgrids are independent of main grid issues and blackouts and evade the health
costs associated with production of other energies such as nuclear and coal (Del Campo).

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Although there are health costs associated with production of these technologies, there are very
few health costs while in use. If people were to start implementing their own microgrids, I
believe history would repeat itself. Just as the neighbors of the Jacobs brothers wanted to copy
their idea of directly imputing their own energy into their homes, the notion of modern
microgrids would also catch. Through employment of microgrids, citizens could help decrease
dependencies on foreign energy and increase self-sufficiency.
Although start-up costs can be rather steep, generating power on-site eliminates
distribution costs and losses and foreign dependencies (Del Campo). Local power generation
also generates local jobs, which stimulates economic growth and security. Albeit there is a
substantially long period before payback, if enough power from the microgrid is produced, a
profit could eventually be made. With this, price fluctuations would not be a concern because
prices are stable for renewable energies. Renewable energies are more reliable and resilient
and vast and inexhaustible (Saizar). These are the types of resources the world needs to invest
in for a sustainable future.
It is unrealistic to propose that all companies and households start to use renewable
energy, but if those able would set the example, I think more would follow suit. The ultimate
necessity to live sustainably is to decrease our energy use. As of now, our current habits cannot
subsist on renewable resources alone, but the first step would be integration and microgrids are
archetypes for how integration of renewable and non-renewable energies could work and thrive.
Implementation of microgrids could play a key part in universal application of renewable
energies. The United States of America have historically been a prominent world leader in
advancement and technology. It is time to step up and once again assume that role for sustainable
practices and utilization of renewable energies.

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Works Cited
Barr, Dave, Chrissy Carr, and Eric Putnam. "Microgrid Effects and Opportunities for Utilities."
Www.burnsmcd.com. Burns & McDonnell, 2013. Web. 11 June 2015.
"Beginnings | Jacobs Wind Electric." Jacobs Wind Electric. Web. 11 June 2015.
<http://www.jacobswind.net/history/beginnings>.
Del Campo, Roberto. Smartgrids and Microgrids. Class day 4. University of Pamplona
Navarra. Pamplona, Spain. 4 June, 2015. Lecture.
Fergus, Jeff. Introduction to Sustainability. Class day 1. Edificios Inteligentes, Engineering
Association of Navarre. Pamplona, Spain. 1 June, 2015. Lecture.
Saizar, Jason. Sustainability Wind Power. Class days 5&6. Edificios Inteligentes, Engineering
Association of Navarre. Pamplona, Spain. 8-9 June, 2015. Lecture.

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