Vox

Our electrical grid can be taken down by storms, fires, and squirrels. But there’s a better way to power the world. A microgrid is a decentralized power system that doesn’t have a single point of failure. That means one squirrel can’t cause a massive blackout, and it also protects against the increasing number of severe weather events, storms, and wildfires. Read more on the power of microgrids in David Roberts’ and Alvin Chang’s explainer on the topic: https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/12/15/16714146/greener-more-reliable-more-resilient-grid-microgrids More on how California can become more energy-resilient: https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/12/15/16714146/greener-more-reliable-more-resilient-grid-microgrids Umair Irfan’s reporting on PG&E’s power shutoffs in California: https://www.vox.com/2019/10/9/20906551/pge-power-shutdown-blackout-fire-bankruptcy For data on squirrel-related power outages, check out this map that shows all animal-related outages: https://cybersquirrel1.com/ Note: The headline on this video has been updated. Previous version: How to squirrel-proof the power grid Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H