Press Releases
GOV. MALLOY: MICROGRID PROJECTS IN BRIDGEPORT AND MILFORD AWARDED $5 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING TO HARDEN ENERGY SYSTEM
Innovative Localized Power System Keeps Lights on Even When Power Goes Out
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that new microgrid projects in Bridgeport and Milford - which will help keep critical buildings and facilities in those two cities powered even when the grid goes down - have been awarded a total of $5.1 million through the second round of the innovative Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Microgrid Program.
"Residents of Bridgeport and Milford will benefit from these microgrids because they will keep lights on and the power running at critical locations even when the lights go out elsewhere," Governor Malloy said. "Microgrids are an essential part of our strategy to make certain we can better withstand the type of catastrophic storms we have experienced in recent years - and the extended loss of power that accompanies them."
The two projects receiving funding are:
Bridgeport
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University of Bridgeport (UB) - Power will be provided to campus buildings including a dining hall, recreation center, student center, police station and two residence halls. The DEEP microgrid grant will provide almost $2.2 million in funding for eligible design, engineering and interconnection infrastructure costs. The microgrid will be powered by a 1.4MW fuel cell. The UB buildings will be available to serve city residents during a power outage or emergency. The on-campus facilities can provide shelter to about 2,700 residents and the dining hall can provide food service to residents as well as emergency responders. This project is a logical companion to a Bridgeport microgrid project funded in a first round of grants, which will provide power largely for critical city services.
Milford
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Power will be provided to the Parsons Government Center, middle school, senior center, senior housing and city hall. The middle school and senior center will be available as shelters for residents during a power outage. The DEEP microgrid grant will provide about $2.9 million in funding for eligible design, engineering and interconnection infrastructure costs. The microgrid will be powered by (2) 148kW natural gas CHP units, 120kW of PV and a 100kW battery energy storage system.
Created under Public Act 12-148 , DEEP's Microgrid Pilot Program is increasing the safety and quality of life to Connecticut residents during electric grid outage situations. Microgrids will provide electricity to critical facilities and town centers on a 24/7 daily basis and will include a system to isolate the microgrid so it can provide power even when there is a large-scale outage.
A
first round of grants
under the program in July 2013 awarded $18 million to nine microgrid projects in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Groton, Hartford, Middletown, Storrs, Windham, and Woodbridge as part of the Governor's
Storm Legislation
. One of those nine projects - at Wesleyan University, Middletown - is already operational. The remaining projects are in various stages of development.
The projects will provide power for government services and businesses that are critical during extreme weather events such as police, fire, and emergency response teams, shelters, dining facilities, state and town emergency response centers, grocery stores, and gas stations.
Funding for a second round of microgrid pilot projects was authorized by the General Assembly in 2013. Governor Malloy will request that funding for the new Bridgeport and Milford projects be approved by the state Bond Commission.
As part of DEEP's efforts to continuously improve the Program and to increase municipal resiliency across the state, DEEP will schedule a workshop to receive comments and feedback from program participants and other interested persons.
"We are working to modernize, upgrade, and strengthen the electric grid system but there are still going to be times when the forces of nature are just too strong and the power does go out," Governor Malloy said. "These are the moments when microgrids will prove to be invaluable."
"Connecticut has experienced firsthand the devastating effects that major weather events can have on the electric grid and is working to ensure that when the power goes out, the lights can stay on at essential facilities and shelters," said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. "Microgrids improve health and safety by allowing emergency services to continue to operate and giving residents a place to seek shelter and stay warm and dry."
Milford Mayor Ben Blake said, "Over the past few years, Milford has been tested and tested again by storms of biblical proportion. Given our city's history, we believe deeply in storm preparedness and a hardened infrastructure. Not only will this microgrid provide a new layer of fortification during storms, it will also create significant energy savings. I appreciate Governor Malloy's and DEEP's commitment to projects that both drive efficiencies and bolster our resiliency."
"Sustainable and affordable energy is an increasingly important component of the new energy mix at the University of Bridgeport," said UB Director of Facilities George Estrada. "Our Renewable Energy Research Lab evaluates technologies in energy conversion, utilization, and storage in fuel cells, solar, wind, and hybrid systems. This living lab is motivated by the strong need to prepare the next generation of inter-disciplinary engineers who have a comprehensive background in sustainable energy, and this fuel cell installation will help us achieve our goals by enabling us to practice what we teach."
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For Immediate Release: October 8, 2014
Contact: David Bednarz
Contact: Dennis Schain
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Dennis.Schain@ct.gov
860-424-3110 (office)
860-462-3468 (cell)
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Dennis.Schain@ct.gov
860-424-3110 (office)
860-462-3468 (cell)
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@GovMalloyOffice
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