Downtime on the Microgrid

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Resilience is increasingly vital, particularly at the local level, even for the foundational electric power grid. This technological marvel is evolving rapidly, with community microgrids emerging as significant catalysts for cultural change. In 'Downtime on the Microgrid', Malcolm McCullough provides a thoughtful counterpoint to the typical discourse surrounding smart clean infrastructure. He approaches the topic from an experiential perspective, steering clear of common themes such as smart city futurism, technological solutionism, and critical theory jargon. Instead, he offers a fresh cultural context for a subject often explored in science and technology studies. McCullough outlines three eras of North American electrification: innovation, consolidation, and decentralization. He examines the microgrid boom and its implications for the built environment, referring to it as "architecture's grid edge." He posits that resilience will emerge from clusters; while microgrids are often viewed as isolated entities, future resilience will depend on interconnected networks—clusters of microgrids that allow for two-way, intermittent connectivity. This vision contrasts with the always-on, top-down technofuture many anticipate. Through his work, McCullough transcends techno-hype, uncovering positive aspects of the smart city and the promise of local resilience.