TL;DR
Following Hurricane Helene’s destruction in Asheville, Firestorm Books installed a microgrid with solar and batteries, improving energy resilience. This development reduces reliance on the grid and prepares the community for future outages.
Firestorm Books in Asheville, North Carolina, has completed the installation of a microgrid system that allows it to operate independently of the utility grid, significantly boosting its energy resilience following the impacts of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
After the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, which led to widespread power outages and infrastructure damage, Firestorm Books partnered with Footprint Project to develop a standalone microgrid. The system includes four batteries, an inverter, and a solar array, enabling the bookstore to maintain power independently of the local utility, Duke Energy.
The installation was supported by product donations from Briggs & Stratton and Sol-Ark, with installation carried out by Asheville Solar Company. The project also received a small cash grant and a 0% interest repayable grant through Invest Appalachia. The microgrid allows the bookstore to operate solely on solar power and stored energy, with batteries configured for active use, providing backup power during outages.
This upgrade means Firestorm no longer depends solely on the grid, which was unreliable during the storm, and can maintain critical functions such as communication, food storage, and community support during future emergencies.
Enhanced Community Resilience with Microgrid
This development matters because it demonstrates a practical step toward community resilience in disaster-prone areas. By installing a microgrid, Firestorm Books can continue serving as a community hub during outages, supporting local recovery efforts and reducing dependence on unreliable utility infrastructure. It also highlights the potential for other community organizations to adopt similar systems to improve disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
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Hurricane Helene’s Devastation and Community Response
Hurricane Helene struck Asheville on September 27, 2024, causing historic flooding, landslides, and widespread power outages. Firestorm Books quickly became a vital community hub for mutual aid, distributing supplies and coordinating recovery efforts while facing significant infrastructure challenges. Their solar array, installed just prior to the storm, was grid-tied and nonfunctional during the crisis, limiting their ability to store food and power devices.
In response, the bookstore sought to improve its energy resilience, leading to the development of the microgrid project supported by Footprint Project, Briggs & Stratton, and Sol-Ark, aiming to ensure continuous operation during future outages.
“Because of that, we missed opportunities to store perishable foods and medications, recharge power tools and communication devices for community responders and operate after dark as a place for people to safely gather.”
— Libertie Valance
Future Cost Savings and Long-Term Impact
It is not yet clear how the microgrid will impact Firestorm’s operational costs long-term, especially after the upcoming end of the Net Energy Metering arrangement in 2027. The extent to which the system will reduce energy costs or provide additional resilience in future disasters remains to be seen, and further assessments are ongoing.
Next Steps for Community Energy Resilience
Firestorm plans to explore additional sustainability projects, including rainwater capture and storage. The community will also monitor the microgrid’s performance during future outages to evaluate its effectiveness. Broader adoption of similar systems in Asheville and comparable communities may follow as a model for disaster preparedness.
Key Questions
How does the microgrid improve Firestorm’s resilience?
The microgrid allows Firestorm to operate independently of the utility grid, providing continuous power during outages and supporting community needs.
What components are included in the microgrid?
The system includes four batteries, an inverter, and a solar array, all working together to ensure reliable energy supply.
Will the microgrid save money on energy costs?
Currently, the system is not a cost-saving measure due to existing interconnection agreements, but this may change after 2027 when those arrangements end.
Can other organizations replicate this microgrid?
Yes, the project serves as a potential model for other community organizations seeking to improve disaster resilience through renewable energy systems.
Source: Solar Power World
