It’s easy to identify microgrid benefits . But figuring out the business model to monetize those benefits is another story, especially when it comes to utility microgrids. The issue is tangled in state regulation, most of it formulated well before resiliency became a societal priority and microgrids came into play. These rules can make it difficult, or even impossible, for utilities to recover costs incurred from developing microgrids. Adding to the complexity, restructured states typically bar utilities from owning microgrids or at least the generating facilities within them. Vexing as these issues are, utilities have made clear they want to be part of the microgrid revolution. To that end, they are exploring new business models that will allow them to do so. Organizing the effort is John Caldwell, the director of economics for the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), an association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric utilities. Caldwell has […]