Hospitals are inherently risk-averse—and these days, relying on the grid can be risky. That’s why a majority of hospitals and medical centers have backup generators powered by diesel or natural gas that can fuel critical infrastructure in the event of a power outage. But as energy costs rise and larger health systems report their emissions, many hospitals are turning to microgrids as a way to provide electrical resilience and generate on-site energy. A microgrid is a small energy network made up of energy-generating technologies, like solar panels or hydrogen-powered fuel cells, and energy storage technologies, such as batteries. Most microgrids supply power to specific buildings or areas, and some can provide power to the electrical grid if needed. In the case of hospitals, some medical systems can run entirely on their microgrid for a specific interval of time, while others use one to supplement backup power from generators. But no matter how the microgrid functions, it requires an immense amount of planning to tailor it to a hospital’s needs and cover the cost—which can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. “You have to be really specific about what you want to serve, and then how are you curtailing those loads?” Matt Jones, a principal at construction engineering company PAE Consulting Engineers, told Tech Brew. “You might not put it in charge of the most sensitive areas, like operating rooms.” Keep reading on Tech Brew.—TC | 
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