Media Contact:
Chynna Cowart, Press Secretary | chynna.cowart@state.co.us | (303) 656-7464
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) announced over $2 million in recent awards funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant Program and state funds through the Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) Program. These grants support essential projects to enhance Colorado's electric grid resilience supporting our state’s rural and mountain communities.
Today’s announcement represents the first projects funded since the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) formally awarded the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) $17.2 million for the first two years of a five-year funding program. This award will also support a study on the potential role of microgrids in advancing state energy goals, such as increasing the resiliency and reliability of the electric grid, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting the state’s transition to clean energy and beneficial electrification.
“These critical funds support projects that will help us work towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future for all Coloradans,” said Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). “These projects, which cover everything from planning to construction, will support communities statewide, ensuring critical services and improving energy security.”
The Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) Grant Program, established by House Bill 22-1013, is designed to enhance community resilience against electric grid disruptions through the development of microgrids.
“Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Grid Resilience Formula Grants will enable communities throughout the country to protect households and businesses during extreme weather like the heatwaves currently traveling across the country,” said Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy. “The batteries and microgrids being deployed across Colorado will ensure facilities like fire houses, police stations, and hospitals continue to provide lifesaving services. Projects selected through this program will also benefit communities by creating good-paying jobs to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy across the country.”
The Department of Local Affairs Awarded Projects
The Department of Local Affairs’ (DOLA) Division of Local Government (DLG) awarded $2,109,641 across six projects for Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) Program grants in Round 2.
Planning
- The Town of Springfield Microgrid Planning Project was awarded $32,160 to explore backup power and microgrid opportunities with support from the Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA).
Construction - Microgrid Tied Generation
- Space to Create/Town of Ridgway Resilience Hub Microgrid: San Miguel Power Association was awarded $46,900 to install a microgrid system of a 4.8 kW solar system and 37 kWh battery storage at the Decker Community Room in Ridgway, CO. This microgrid will provide 1.5 days of backup power.
Construction - Storage/Controller
- Microgrid for Community Communications Resilience Ridgway Office: San Miguel Power Association received $83,750 to install a 74 kWh battery storage system coupled with an existing 3.5 kW solar array, ensuring backup power for emergency communications.
- Platte River Power Authority and Estes Park Storage Microgrid Project: Awarded $350,000 to support a 5 MW/ 20 MWh battery installation in Estes Park, CO, serving critical facilities like the Estes Valley Protection District and Estes Park Hospital.
- Microgrid Batteries for Rural Emergency Services (United Power): United Power received $700,656 to install batteries at four fire stations (three in Weld County and one in Jefferson County) in historically disadvantaged communities, ensuring resilience during outages.
- PVREA Livermore Microgrid Storage Project: Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association was awarded $896,175 to install a 350 kW/ 1200 kWh battery and microgrid controller in Livermore, CO, providing essential services during extreme weather and outages.
Note, the Construction - Microgrid Tied Generation awards were funded by state funds via HB22-1013, while the Planning and Construction - Storage/Controller awards were funded by federal funds and state match.
Please visit the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program website for more information about this program.
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