Overview:

Summary: During extreme heat waves, electric grids are often pushed to their limits because of increased demand for mechanical cooling causing power outages. Microgrids are decentralized electricity grids that can supply energy to the main grid or directly to communities. Microgrids help reduce strain on the main grid while providing a reliable and renwable source of energy.

Implementation: Develop policies and set goals to support research and development, interconnections, and installation of microgrids.

Considerations for Use: Microgrids need to be maintained regularly to protect equipment. Consider partnering with CBOs to explore different ownership and operational models.

• Policy Levers:
  
  
  CommitmentGovernments set ambitious goals or targets to guide prioritization and investment.
• Trigger Points:
  
  
  Evaluating or initiating major city infrastructure projectsIncludes projects such as city transit, street or utilities construction / re-construction etc.
  Preparatory measures (actions to establish authority to act)Actions to establish/ ensure the authority to act when appropriate trigger-points occur.
• Intervention Type:
  Planning/Policy
• Sectors:
  Informal Settlements, Public Works

Impact:

• Target Beneficiaries:
  Heat-vulnerable communities, Residents
• Phase of Impact:
  Risk reduction and mitigation
• Metrics:
  Amount of energy provided by microgrid, Number of buildings served by microgrid

Case Studies:

• California Resiliency and Microgrids

Implementation:

• Intervention Scale:
  City, State/Province
• Authority and Governance:
  City government, State/provincial government
• Implementation Timeline:
  Medium-term (3-9 Years)
• Implementation Stakeholders:
  CBOs, City government, Industry, State/provincial government
• Funding Sources:
  private investment, Public investment
• Capacity to Act:
  High

Benefits:

• Cost-Benefit:
  High
• Public Good:
  Medium
• GHG Reduction:
  Low
• Co-benefits (Climate/Environmental):
  Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Co-benefits (Social):
  Build community capacity, Create jobs, Save on utilities