John Farrell of Renewable Energy World explains how a shift to local, renewable energy sources and away from the current system of long-distance, coal-burning utilities will
As the Obama administration moves to fasttrack long-distance power lines in Minnesota, Farrell argues that we should instead be focusing on developing infrastructure for local, clean energy sources:
"Fossil fuel power lends itself to centralized power systems, requiring long supply lines (rail or pipeline) to provide a constant supply of fuel and significant economies of scale in thermal energy production."
Renewable energy, Farrell explains, is better positioned for a decentralized system of small power systems that would be great on the local level but wouldn't make sense hooked up to an international pipeline.
"Simply put, a clean energy grid is technically incompatible with a grid management strategy that prioritizes always-on, baseload power from fossil fuel and nuclear plants. It's like mixing typewriters and iPads."
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