The social factors shaping community microgrid operation.

Area of Science:

• Energy policy
• Societal impact of energy infrastructure
• Renewable energy systems

Background:

• Extreme weather events frequently cause widespread power blackouts.
• Localized energy resources, known as microgrids, offer a solution for maintaining critical electricity supply.
• Community microgrids require effective energy rationing strategies during prolonged outages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey US residents' preferences on rationing finite microgrid energy during blackouts.
• To assess public acceptance of a differentiated service model for energy allocation.
• To understand willingness-to-sell stored energy from personal backup devices to the microgrid.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 1021 US residents regarding energy rationing preferences.
• Analysis of responses concerning differentiated service and willingness-to-sell.
• Identification of factors influencing perceptions of fairness in energy allocation.

Main Results:

• Over 91.8% of respondents supported a differentiated service paradigm, allowing higher energy quotas for increased payment.
• Respondents indicated a willingness-to-sell between 42-53% of their stored energy to the microgrid.
• Factors influencing fairness perceptions were identified for both consumers and storage owners.

Conclusions:

• A differentiated service model for energy rationing in community microgrids is highly supported by the public.
• The concept of willingness-to-sell stored energy highlights a balance between self-preservation and economic incentives.
• An energy-as-a-service model is deemed socially acceptable for community microgrids, offering valuable insights for policymakers and businesses.