The Energy Department will pour $8 million into seven microgrid projects throughout the United States in a bid to build up resiliency in event of an extreme weather disturbance or power outage.
DOE will spend the funds on development of new controllers and 10-megawatt systems that communities can use in emergencies, the department said Sept. 8.
“Building in grid resiliency has gained greater urgency in recent years, as demonstrated by the economic and personal losses from electricity outages due to severe weather,†Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said.
“Keeping the power on during extreme weather events and other electric grid disruptions is essential, particularly so that critical facilities such as hospitals and water treatment plants can continue operating,†he added.
The seven awardees are:
- Alstom Grid in Redmond, Washington
- Burr Energy in Little Falls, Minnesota
- Commonwealth Edison in Chicago
- Electric Power Research Institute in Knoxville, Tennessee
- General Electric in Niskayuna, New York
- TDX Power in Anchorage, Alaska
- University of California, Irvine
