CleanSpark CEO Discusses Residential Microgrids

April 2, 2021
Zach Bradford, CEO and president of CleanSpark Energy, sat down with Microgrid Knowledge to talk about the growth of residential microgrids and how the new administration can encourage faster consumer adoption rates.

Zachary Bradford, CEO and president of CleanSpark, sat down with Microgrid Knowledge to talk about the growth of residential microgrids and how the new administration can encourage faster consumer adoption rates.

CleanSpark, a technology company focused on microgrid software, is seeing significant growth in the residential market, according to CEO Zachary Bradford. Because of recent events in California and Texas, “everybody is now starting to hear the term microgrid and recognize the importance of having some control over your energy, not just if you’re a military base, but if you’re a homeowner.”

When asked what needs to be done to expand the understanding of microgrids in the residential market, the CEO cited the need for the education of both consumers and policymakers. He said that homeowners need to understand that residential microgrids offer more than just resiliency when the power goes out. “I think that something that’s really important to continue to educate people on is that microgrids can help save people money on their monthly power bill, whether there is a significant outage event or not.”

Bradford also believes policymakers need to be engaged so they can make educated decisions when creating interconnection rules. “It’s incredibly important that we have a stable grid, and that’s why the utilities need to be involved. But really, states and regulators need to pay attention to make sure that these programs, and also the laws around it … serves the end consumer,” he said.

When asked about the new Biden administration’s green energy agenda, Bradford was optimistic, and he had some ideas on how revamping tax incentives could increase the pace of residential microgrid adoption. “There’s a lot of people with means that can put a microgrid in, but microgrid[s] shouldn’t just be for people that have means. So these incentives are really important to help bring energy solutions which are important to everybody and to equalize that playing field.”

Learn more about the microgrid business at the next Microgrid Knowledge conference: Microgrid 2021: The World Awakens to Microgrids, May 11-June 3. 

About the Author

Kathy Hitchens | Special Projects Editor

I work as a writer and special projects editor for Microgrid Knowledge. I have over 30 years of writing experience, working with a variety of companies in the renewable energy, electric vehicle and utility sector, as well as those in the entertainment, education, and financial industries. I have a BFA in Media Arts from the University of Arizona and a MBA from the University of Denver.

Related Content

Brandon Olafsson / Shutterstock.com

Department of Energy Spending Up to $200M Connecting Remote Microgrids

March 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of Energy is currently accepting proposals for transmission projects that would connect remote and isolated microgrids to each other or to existing transmission...
U.S. Army photo by Scott Darling, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)

U.S. Army Improves Resilience at Fort Cavazos with New Microgrid

March 14, 2024
U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood, will use the microgrid to power critical services and infrastructure during outages and to reduce energy costs during...

Reducing Costs and Uncertainty in Microgrid Deployment By Employing An Integrated Solution

March 15, 2024
This white paper - the second in a series - explores the Model Predictive Controller (MPC) approach to Microgrid and EV infrastructure operation.

Malaysian Semiconductor Maker Secures Critical Power with Rolls-Royce mtu Powerpacks On-Site

March 13, 2024
X-FAB Sarawak, the Malaysian division of worldwide foundry group X-FAB, will utilize the four mtu Kinetic Powerpacks at its site in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The company manufactures...

Only through Standardization Can Microgrids Accelerate the Energy Transition

Jan. 18, 2024
Jana Gerber, North America microgrid president at Schneider Electric discusses how standardizing microgrids will accelerate the energy transition.

Destination: Net Zero – Six Steps Companies Can Take To Address Climate Goals

Increasingly, companies around the world are under pressure to respond to global climate change, but many are struggling to meet ambitious climate goals because there is no clear...