Will Water-Powered Microgrids Work in the Real World? - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica explores the potential and challenges of deploying water-powered microgrids—specifically those harnessing wave, tidal, and river-current energy—in remote communities where traditional electricity access is limited. It highlights the significant resource potential of marine energy across U.S. coastlines and rivers, as characterized by a 2021 National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) report. Remote areas like Alaska, with over 250 isolated microgrids, stand to benefit from these technologies, which could provide reliable and affordable power by leveraging local water resources. However, the article emphasizes the risks involved in integrating early-stage marine energy technologies into existing microgrids, particularly due to potential instability and economic challenges. To address this, NLR is conducting a four-part webinar series focused on testing and de-risking these technologies through advanced lab simulations and power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) testing. This approach allows researchers to validate system performance and reliability without subjecting communities to experimental risks. The