And with expansion comes growing pains. Among our Microgrid Knowledge readers, the leading plurality blamed the government. Regulatory uncertainty, in other words, was the top challenge according to 37% of those polled.
Interconnection being the long-term struggle it is, the second biggest concern was technical integration of microgrid assets with existing energy systems and facility infrastructure. More than one-fifth felt that was top of mind.
Limited market awareness of the microgrid value proposition and operational complexity ranked third and fourth, respectively, at 16% and 14% of Microgrid Knowledge poll respondents. Supply chain constraints fell in last among the options at 11%.
All five of these challenges will be under the Microgrid Knowledge microscope when the conference begins May 4. MGK 2026 runs through May 6 at the Renaissance SeaWorld in Orlando. Registration remains open.
The level of content and depth of analysis crosses many sectors beyond microgrids. Among the presenters participating in sessions will include microgrid experts from Schneider Electric, Wood Mackenzie, Colusa Indian Energy, ELM Microgrid, NASA, S&C Electric, Oak Ridge National Lab, Hover Energy, the city of Euclid, Ohio, Duke Energy, Arizona State University, New Sun Road, Mayfield Renewables, CPower Energy Management, American Microgrid Solutions, PayOli Solar, e2 Companies, Florida Power & Light, Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña (Puerto Rico), Xendee, Georgia Power, Energy Vault, McKinstry and Edison Electric Institute, among others.
The utility host for the Microgrid Knowledge Conference is Duke Energy.