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This infographic shows how a neighborhood could create a microgrid for its own power by installing solar panels on roofs, small wind turbines, and natural gas generators. If excess electricity is produced, the microgrid can send it to the larger grid, or it can store electricity in batteries for use when the wind is not blowing or the sun is not shining. Power can be drawn from the grid as well.

If an outage occurs on the main grid, the microgrid can island itself off and power the houses, military installations or college dorms by using their own generation resources and battery power stored in a central station.