Three microgrid projects, for a hospital, small town, and naval base, are advancing through the final stages of review, approval, and funding in Connecticut’s pioneering grant program for municipal microgrids, reported Microgrid Knowledge. In 2012, the state created the microgrid program as a way to keep power running for critical public facilities and services during severe weather.
Currently, there are eight microgrid projects in operation and one under construction in the state. Bloom Energy, Constellation Energy, FuelCell Energy, Schneider Electric, and United Illuminating are among the companies that have developed the projects, according to Microgrid Knowledge.
Per Veronica Szczerkowski, microgrid program manager in the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), if the final three projects move forward, Connecticut will spend $25.7 million in state funding to build out the microgrids across the state. “Resiliency was the main goal,” she added of the project that may soon total thirteen microgrids.
The microgrid project evolved over four rounds due to more detailed project plans, funding availability and changes in some review criteria, Szczerkowski said. Round 4 projects are now making their way through the microgrid program’s contracting stage, reported Microgrid Knowledge. “It will be great to see renewable, clean energy municipal microgrids up and running,” Szczerkowski noted.
Among the four rounds of microgrid projects,:
- Round 1: Grant: $1,167,659. Location: Fairfield Functions: operational, police station, emergency operations center, cell tower, fire headquarters, shelter.
August 1, 2019
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