A mini-grid is an off-grid electricity distribution network involving small-scale electricity generation. The electrification of the global off-grid rural population remains a major task of many developing and developed countries. Mini-grids represent the most cost-effective way to provide universal electricity access to these populations. Due to new technology innovations that have resulted in declining costs both for mini-grids and energy generation sources, specifically solar and wind power, mini-grids have the potential to electrify remote areas that would otherwise remain outside of a grid connection.

A nanogrid is a power distribution system for a single house/small building, with the ability to connect or disconnect from other power entities via a gateway. It consists of local power production powering local loads, with the option of utilizing energy storage and/or a control system.

Energy storage systems provide a wide array of technological approaches to managing our power supply in order to create a more resilient energy infrastructure and bring cost savings to utilities and consumers.

A microgrid is a decentralized group of electricity sources and loads that normally operates connected to and synchronous with the traditional wide area synchronous grid (macrogrid), but can also disconnect to "island mode" and function autonomously as physical or economic conditions dictate. Microgrids are best served by local energy sources where power transmission and distribution from a major centralized energy source is too far and costly to execute. In this case the microgrid is also called an autonomous, stand-alone or isolated microgrid.