When the nation’s capitol recently went dark – right in the middle of Cherry Blossom season – the lights went on in the halls of energy firms. It’s about changing the face of the American grid – to reduce society’s dependence on its interconnectivity and to, instead, encircle campuses or important buildings with enclosed systems, or microgrids.

One of the most interesting trends of 2013 was the rise of microgrids. While the hype overshadows the reality of actual projects, several key developments have set the stage for growth.