2023
The electric grid caused the deadliest fire in California history. Now the grid is preemptively turned off during hot, dry wind events. Grid failures due to extreme weather are causing deadly situations around the country. Chloe explores how the grid was designed to work over a hundred years ago and the new challenges it faces today. A microgrid in the South Side of Chicago keeps the lights and the heat on during the worst winter storm. Batteries and fuel cells replace backup generators and help the grid balance the supply and demand.
2023
Since it was created, the town of Somerset, Massachusetts, has ridden the waves of our national energy policy. Once the home to the largest coal-burning power plant in New England, Somerset lost its bread and butter when the low cost of gas put the plant out of business. The town's state representative, Pat Haddad, writes a bill that brings offshore wind to Massachusetts and revitalizes her small town. Now Somerset will be home to North America's first offshore wind manufacturing plant.