By Chethana Janith, Jadetimes News
Summary
Israel's energy grid a likely target in any regional war
Micro grids can act as a backup during blackouts
Private companies stand to benefit from new plan
The war is a catalyst for quick adaptation, expert says
MAALE GILBOA, Israel, July 18, Maale Gilboa, a remote kibbutz on a rocky hilltop in northern Israel, was an unlikely spot to build a farming community, let alone the future of Israel's energy supply. However, its adoption of renewable energy and development of energy storage solutions have positioned it at the forefront of Israel's efforts to create a more resilient and decentralized electricity grid.
"We chose the toughest place to build, where others said 'no way'," said Dovi Miller, who helped establish the kibbutz in the 1960s and now heads its energy operations.
His job is to make the kibbutz Israel's first "island of energy", a micro grid which can isolate itself from the national power network if necessary and operate independently.
"We are building a system that allows our batteries to receive the electricity produced so it will continue to work if the grid fails. We will disconnect and become an energy island," Miller said.
Its array of renewable energy, including wind turbines, solar and a huge dome storing biogas, made Maale Gilboa a natural choice for the pilot program.
Israel's energy transition plan has been in the works for years but took on greater urgency when war broke out on several fronts following deadly Hamas attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Power lines were damaged that day causing blackouts. Israel was forced to temporarily shut its main energy source, the offshore Tamar natural gas field.
There are thousands of micro grid projects already up and running around the world from Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Africa in schools, hospitals, jails and whole communities but they often depend on public funding.
The World Bank in 2022 said solar micro grids could help half a billion people access power by 2030 but added that more action needs to be taken to identify opportunities, drive down costs and overcome barriers to finance.
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