As Hurricane Helene approaches the U.S. Gulf Coast, concerns about blackouts loom large, especially for vulnerable individuals like 71-year-old Ronald Bailey, who relies on a breathing machine to keep his airways open at night. The Community Lighthouse Project in New Orleans has been instrumental in providing essential services during power outages by converting churches into self-sustaining microgrids.
First Grace United Methodist Church is one of the nine operating microgrids in New Orleans, with plans to expand to 86 across the city and 500 across the state. These microgrids utilize solar panels and batteries to generate and store electricity, ensuring continuous power supply even during severe weather events like hurricanes.
