[Ben Ficklin]

Cat has been supplying generator sets for a long time but as the price of solar and batteries have come down they sell the concept of a MicroGrid with generator, solar panels(or wind) and the batteries.

Then all the microgrids are interconnected to create the grid which is very different from the traditional grid of interconnected wheels and spokes.

Caterpillar approaches it from the generator side while Tesla approaches from the solar/battery side

Here is the Cat video on it:

Caterpiller MicroGrid Solutions

[EVO X]

We have an experimental microgrid in our town run by Ameren. It will power an industrial park or about 190 homes. It is a combination of solar, wind, batteries and gas generators. It doesn’t seem like a very practical solution to power 100’s of thousands of homes.