microgrid

noun

mi·​cro·​grid ˈmī-krō-ˌgrid 

variants or less commonly micro-grid

plural microgrids also micro-grids

: a small grid

The Logitech io Pen … only works when writing on special paper that's embedded with an invisible microgrid of tiny dots arranged like graph paper.

—Frank Bajak

especially : a local electrical grid (see grid sense 2a(3)) that can be connected to a larger network but that is also capable of operating independently

When the community fell dark after the storm, there remained all but one source of power: a solar microgrid operated by Casa Pueblo, an environmental nonprofit and community center.

—Greta Moran

Microgrids, with their own electricity-generating capacity, are a better bet. Most of these local grids are operated by private organisations such as military bases, industrial plants and universities, which need more dependable power …

—The Economist

The facility will be powered by a micro-grid with on-site solar panels, battery storage, auxiliary power and small vertical wind turbines …

—Delta County (Colorado) Independent

After the disaster knocked out power to much of eastern Japan, smart microgrid projects from industrial to residential changed their approach.

—Tam Harbert

Examples of microgrid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of allowing Xcel to invest more and more in large infrastructure and to charge its captive customers more and more, our legislature can open up the system for new approaches such as neighbor-to-neighbor power sharing, microgrids, and virtual power plants. —K.k. Duvivier, The Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2024

Frequency Becomes Unstable Frequency is the sine qua non of all electrical systems, from microgrids to the national grid. —Llewellyn King, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

According to Black Rock Labs, about 78 percent of playa generators—all but the largest ones—could be replaced by solar microgrids, whose price will hopefully come down to more affordable levels. —Alden Wicker, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2023

Foley now runs Cuyahoga Green Energy, the first electric utility in the United States focused on microgrids. —Sam Allard, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

micro- + grid

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above