What are Microgrids Now?

Source: Elisa Wood | · DECENTRALIZED GRID MAGAZINE · |May 10, 2025

The Official and Unofficial Definition of the Evolving Microgrid

Microgrids first captured attention over a decade ago as a sophisticated form of backup generation following Superstorm Sandy. A lot has changed since then. So, what are microgrids now?

This week, Energy Changemakers launched a new channel, Microgrids Now, to explore the latest iteration of microgrids and their influence decentralizing and democratizing the electric grid.

To start, their influence is expected to be big. The US Department of Energy (DOE) pulls no punches when it comes to the importance of microgrids:

By 2035, microgrids are envisioned to be essential building blocks of the future electricity delivery system. — US DOE, Microgrid Program Strategy

That suggests a lot more than mere backup generation.

So, what’s changed about microgrids? You could say nothing and everything.

The official microgrid definition

The definition of a microgrid, put forward by the DOE several years ago, remains intact:

A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources (DERs) within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid.

In short, microgrids are mini electric grids that can function with or without the central grid by leveraging onsite energy like solar, wind, batteries, generators, fuel cells, and intelligent software and controls.