RE: Microgrids smartest way to get power to the people
Microgrids need not be vertically integrated as the article implies. They can simply be separated into power and business systems for a given microgid area. The microgrid system planner could be also its operator for the area.
Every customer could have a different (Second Generation) Retailer that competes in the open market beyond the microgrid area and may operate at the federal level or eventually at the global level.