COMMUNITY LIGHTHOUSES OF POWER- When severe weather strikes, power outtages can occur. In the event of a power-disruption due to transmission lines being knocked down by heavy winds or uprooted trees, it can take days and even weeks to restore electrical service leaving many communities in the dark. And that’s not all, Heating or air conditioning and food refrigeration can no longer function adding more stress to those people affected.
To offer a solution, a coalition of churches and organizations across Louisiana are in the process of getting solar-powered micro-grids built that could offer some respite for communities during severe weather events and other causes of blackouts. A nonprofit coalition Together Louisiana presented details of the micro-grid plan, to the Louisiana Public Service Commission recently. Pierre Moses who works with the group explained the plan called the “Community Lighthouse Project”.
“Each lighthouse will have three key pieces of technology: on-site solar energy production, rechargeable battery-energy storage systems, and also user-friendly load management systems,” Moses explained. “The renewable energy micro-grids will all have the ability to disconnect from the utility grid and safely operate as an independent island of backup power source.”
Three “Community Lighthouse Micro-grids” have been built so far and two more are currently under construction. Plans call for 300 across the state and would provide access to stored solar energy for people living nearby in affected areas to power refrigeration, and other basic needs during power outages caused by storms and other conditions. The Community Lighthouse Micro-grids would be established at churches which are often the “go-to” source for community outreach during natural disasters.
