Batteries for resilience
Canada’s energy resilience is increasingly at risk as extreme weather events, such as wildfires, floods, and ice storms, become more frequent.
Abstract
This essay compares two battery storage approaches: residential battery storage, which enhances household resilience but remains costly and inequitable, and community battery storage, which facilitates shared microgrids and collective benefits but faces significant capital and regulatory hurdles.
Using Pavitt’s taxonomy and Rogers’ diffusion model, I explore how these technologies spread: household batteries rely on external suppliers, while community projects gain traction through visibility, compatibility, and public investment. I argue that Canada needs a dual policy strategy – supporting household adoption while prioritizing community storage. This will help us build equitable, system-wide resilience as climate risks intensify.
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