A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
After I posted an essay on distributed generation, a term I find maddeningly imprecise, Travis Kavulla Tweeted “Use ‘distributed energy resources:’ a more encompassing, descriptive term than generators.” A fair point, and I thank him for taking time to make it. Energy resource includes energy storage as well as generation, making it a more useful term for utility regulators (and a more maddeningly imprecise term for me).
Distributed energy resources are connected to the grid. Independently distributed energy resources can be but not always are. For me, the fundamental distinction is that when the grid goes down, independently distributed energy resources do not. For others, drawing the distinction may require a masterpiece of Medieval hairsplitting that would make a Jesuit jealous.
Here’s a photograph of an independently distributed — and unregulated — LED sidewalk light powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery charged by a thin film photovoltaic system. No net metering here; just the immense satisfaction of owning my own micro electric utility and operating it without government interference … so far.
