Towards a network of energy resilience centers
After a major blackout, it's natural and necessary to ask the question "What now?" We can ask it in many areas: what grid investments can help, how to deploy more pumping and more batteries, review security protocols and auctions for secondary products (those that support the grid), etc. Today I'll focus on how to prepare in case it happens again.
In a context of accelerated climate change and growing energy instability, the ability to keep basic services running in emergency situations has become a strategic priority. On the day of the blackout, the temperature was good and we were able to move forward with a relative normality, but on very hot or very cold days, a long-duration blackout can be extremely dangerous. One of the smartest and most affordable steps we can take as a society is to transform solar panel centers into energy resilience centers by installing batteries.
Many healthcare centers, schools, and other public facilities already have rooftop photovoltaic systems. However, the lack of storage systems limits their usefulness during daylight hours and, crucially, renders them inoperable in the event of a power outage. Incorporating batteries would not only maximize the use of solar energy year-round but also ensure a reliable source of power in crisis situations—such as storms, wildfires, or extended power outages.
These distributed resilience centers can act as community support points: keeping medications refrigerated; offering charging points for essential devices, adequate temperatures and ventilation; and providing safe, well-lit spaces when conventional power fails. Furthermore, these centers will soon be able to connect with electric vehicles from emergency services or municipal services, which, thanks to two-way charging (V2G) technology, can contribute power to the center's grid in critical moments. This will further increase their responsiveness and autonomy, making these centers and vehicles key components of the local resilience system.
In places like Texas and South Africa, where blackouts are more frequent, wealthier households choose to privately install battery-powered self-consumption systems. However, this energy security shouldn't depend exclusively on individual initiative or the economic capacity of each family. Decisive public intervention is essential to ensure that no neighborhood or town is left behind. Strategic planning and institutional support are key to guaranteeing fair and balanced coverage throughout the country.
Investing now in this network of resilience centers is not just a preventative measure: it is a clear commitment to sustainability, energy sovereignty, and social cohesion. Ultimately, it is a tool for climate and energy justice that can make the difference between vulnerability and collective security. Many years ago, I collaborated on a project in California that deployed these centers in disadvantaged areas. I discussed the initiative with various institutions a few years ago, to see if we could be leaders in resilience in Europe, but the perception was that it was too catastrophic and not necessary here. I hope that now that batteries are cheaper and the risks are more evident, we'll be able to see the great value of protecting ourselves as a community.