Locally Generated Energy…. And Automobile Design?

Distributed generation is a big deal when we contemplate the future of energy, as it provides so many benefits, e.g., no transmission costs and voltage drops, reduced reliance on coal, less bureaucracy, local jobs, facilitation of smart-grid technologies, and integration of renewable resources that happen to be abundant in each particular region.

But here’s a question: Does this concept extend beyond energy into other important sectors of our economy?  According to Arizona-based Local Motors, the answer is a resounding yes.  The company has made a huge splash with its “Microfactory” concept, which, as explained in the video linked above, pulls together global collaboration (called “the forge” — see pic above), local energy, and new technology (e.g., 3D printing) to set the conditions to revolutionize and disrupt the process of automotive design and manufacturing.

I think there is a great deal of merit here in terms of compressing the time and other resources required to design automobiles. However, I’m highly dubious on some of the more grandiose claims.  For instance, are “locally relevant vehicles” a requirement to run on locally generated energy?  I don’t get that one at all.

In any case, this is very interesting, and again, there are huge benefits to be offered.