As extreme weather events, ageing infrastructure, and rising electricity demand place unprecedented strain on power grids worldwide, renewable energy executive Tyler James Pommier is raising awareness around a timely issue: the urgent need for decentralised, resilient energy systems that work at the local level.
Pommier, Executive Vice President of Innovation at GulfStream Renewables, has spent more than a decade designing and deploying renewable infrastructure across the US Gulf Coast—one of the regions most exposed to grid failure during climate-driven disasters.
“Centralised grids were built for stability, not stress,” Pommier says. “What we’re seeing now is a system pushed beyond its original limits.”
A Global Problem Backed by Data
Recent energy reports show that:
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Power outages have increased by more than 60% globally over the past decade
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Extreme weather now accounts for nearly 80% of large-scale outages
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Distributed energy systems and microgrids can restore power up to 50% faster after disasters than traditional grid repairs
Cities from Baton Rouge to London are facing similar challenges: higher demand, electrification of transport, and infrastructure never designed for two-way power flow.
“This isn’t just a coastal or hurricane issue,” Pommier explains. “Dense urban centres, older cities, and growing regions all face the same risk—too much dependence on a single point of failure.”
Lessons from the Field
Pommier’s perspective is shaped by hands-on experience. After Hurricanes Laura and Ida, he led microgrid rebuilds in rural Louisiana, restoring power to essential services weeks ahead of full grid repair.
“When power is local, recovery is local,” he says. “Communities don’t have to wait for the entire system to be fixed.”
His academic background in environmental engineering and renewable energy systems, combined with policy consulting work for state governments, has reinforced one core belief.
“Resilience isn’t theoretical,” Pommier adds. “It’s measured in hours without power, schools reopened, and hospitals functioning.”
Why Decentralised Energy Matters Now
The transition to renewable energy is accelerating, but Pommier cautions that generation alone is not enough.
“Solar panels and wind turbines don’t automatically make a grid resilient,” he says. “It’s how they’re connected, stored, and managed that determines whether they help or hurt during a crisis.”
Battery storage, distributed solar, and community-scale microgrids reduce strain on central infrastructure while increasing reliability—especially as electric vehicles and heat pumps drive up demand.
Rather than waiting for large-scale reform, Pommier encourages individual and community-level action:
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Homeowners can explore rooftop solar and battery options
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Businesses can invest in backup systems that support local grids
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City residents can support planning policies that prioritise decentralised energy
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Professionals can educate themselves on how energy flows—not just where it comes from
“You don’t need to rebuild the grid yourself,” Tyler Pommier says. “But you can choose to reduce dependence on systems that were never designed for today.”
As governments and cities race toward net-zero targets, Pommier believes resilience must be part of the conversation.
“Clean energy is essential,” he adds. “But resilient energy is what keeps communities standing when things go wrong.”
The message is clear: the future of power is not just renewable—it’s local, flexible, and shared.
Media Contact
Contact Person: Tyler Pommier
Email: Send Email
City: Baton Rouge
State: Louisiana
Country: United States
Website: https://www.tylerpommierbatonrouge.com/
