Resilience through electric microgrid policy : drivers, democracy, and learning

Abstract

Electric microgrids have become an increasingly attractive technology solution for states looking to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events and climate change. Although most states have pursued their development, there are significant differences between states in terms of levels of policy support and planning. What is driving the observed differences in policy outcomes for states across the U.S.? Furthermore, whether current policies and patterns of electric microgrid development are working towards or against a more democratic energy future, and whether state and local governments are learning from each other in implementing these policies have been underexplored. This dissertation addresses these three lines of inquiry. Chapter 1 defines how the electric grid is vulnerable, what electric microgrids are and how they can mitigate the hazards facing the electric grid, what ownership models exist for them, and what research questions drive this dissertation. Chapter 2 combines a quantitative analysis of drivers of adoption and strength of electric microgrid policy with policy sequencing theory.