Frequently Asked Questions

This is a facility that generates and uses its own electricity locally rather than relying primarily on the public grid. In a behind-the-meter setup, power is produced on-site (such as with natural gas generators, solar, or batteries) and consumed directly “behind” the utility meter, reducing or bypassing grid purchases and transmission costs. An islanded site goes a step further—it can operate independently from the grid altogether, meaning it can continue running even during outages or choose not to connect to the grid at all. These configurations are common in data centers, industrial campuses, and microgrids where reliability, cost control, and energy security are critical. 

 Islanded and behind-the-meter (BTM) energy systems are especially valuable today in U.S. industries that require high reliability, cost certainty, and large power loads amid grid constraints and rising electricity prices. These include data centers (AI/HPC campuses), advanced manufacturing (semiconductors, steel, chemicals), and energy-intensive operations like hydrogen production and LNG facilities, where outages or price volatility can be extremely costly. They also benefit critical infrastructure such as hospitals, military bases, and water treatment plants that need uninterrupted power, as well as commercial campuses and utilities seeking resilience and peak-shaving capabilities. In today’s tight power market—driven by electrification, load growth, and transmission bottlenecks—BTM and islanded systems provide a way to secure capacity faster, control long-term energy costs, and reduce dependence on an increasingly strained grid. 

 Islanded and behind-the-meter energy projects can deliver meaningful benefits to local communities by improving grid reliability, lowering strain on public infrastructure, and enabling faster economic development. They often bring significant job creation during construction and long-term operations, along with increased local tax revenue that supports schools, roads, and public services. By generating power on-site, these systems can reduce congestion on the regional grid, helping stabilize electricity availability for nearby residents and businesses. Many projects also invest in infrastructure upgrades (roads, gas lines, substations) that benefit the broader area, and in some cases can provide backup or emergency support during outages. Overall, they help attract new industry and investment while enhancing local energy resilience and economic growth