on-grid

What does 'off-grid' really mean?

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines the term as a negative: 'not connected to the main electricity grid'. Maybe that's the first meaning most folks are thinking of when they hear it.

For some folks it's an isolationist term: dictionary.com defines it as 'not participating in society'.

In order to know what we mean, maybe we should ask our selves what it is to be on-grid.

On-grid might be defined as 'having access to services originating outside the sphere of our personal influence'.

Another and related, perhaps more significant definition might be: 'vulnerable to the cessation of services originating outside the sphere of our personal influence'.

Because having the access is not exactly equivalent with being dependent on that access or vulnerable to its cessation.

Good planning for resiliency will require that we think clearly not just about what grids we have access to but which ones make us most vulnerable.

The use of freezers powered by generators is not just vulnerable to the available supply of petroleum to run the generator,

it's also vulnerable to the available supply of food to freeze.

Which will you miss most: freezer storage, or food?

Better plan accordingly.