A boom in renewable microgrids is helping cities across the country keep the power on. Microgrids can be connected to the larger grid to share and distribute power, but by definition they’re self-sustaining, at least for a certain amount of time. As their popularity grows, sustainability has become an increasingly appealing option for new microgrids, which are “essential building blocks” for a resilient energy system.

Houston is currently in the midst of an unprecedented population boom. Its metro area added nearly 140,000 residents in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, the city has become a significant hub for many industries, from data centers to finance institutions to businesses in the energy and healthcare sectors.

With extreme weather conditions plaguing the nation and the world, businesses might naturally worry about their ability to keep the lights on and the doors open. While they can’t prevent hurricanes, wildfires, and snowstorms, some businesses are looking for more reliable options for power supply that can withstand outages on public grids.

In recent years, it seems as though unexpected storms and other natural disasters have become a more serious threat than ever to both people and businesses. Luckily, many public officials are starting to understand the importance of prioritizing energy resiliency.

Power supply is a hot topic, not only because businesses and individuals are heavily reliant on electricity but because increasingly frequent and extreme weather events are responsible for a growing number of outages.

Modern society is heavily dependent on electricity. Nearly a century ago, electricity wasn’t common in homes and people relied on gas or candlelight. Today, individuals and businesses take full advantage of readily available electrical power to aid in daily life.

As vital as data centers are, they’re often seen as a source of serious energy consumption. That’s not an unfounded reputation since many of them consume more than 17 megawatts per year.