If a severe climatic or violent event were to take out several large generators, for example the Severn barrage in the UK (18 April, p 32), a considerable number of buildings would cease to function. If every building generated its own electricity, it is likely many of them would still be running after such an event. With the assistance of strategically placed micro-generators, vital equipment could be up and running within hours.
For this reason, I ordered a 1-kilowatt wind turbine for my house three years ago. However, I cancelled the order when I discovered that, in keeping with UK law, the turbine is designed to stop working if the National Grid goes down. I am waiting for a change in the law.