New Jersey BPU approves feasibility study for proposed town center microgrid in Hoboken

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) recently approved $2 million of New Jersey Clean Energy Program funding for 13 Town Center Microgrid Feasibility Studies across the state, including $157,000 in funding for Hoboken’s feasibility study.

Hoboken’s proposal includes updates to critical facilities, such as Hoboken Fire Company 3, Police Headquarters, City Hall, the Hoboken Homeless Shelter, churches, municipal garages and housing properties. The city’s feasibility study will evaluate most commercially viable technologies, such as distributed energy resources, energy storage systems, and biodiesel-fueled generators. It is expected to be completed in approximately one year.

BPU President Richard S. Mroz and Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer held a press conference this week on the front steps of Hoboken City Hall to highlight the approval as well as promote incentives for local and government agencies to investigate the feasibility of building town center microgrids.

An innovative example of the Christie Administration’s dedication to the state’s Energy Master Plan, microgrid technology is aimed at improving energy resiliency. The mini grids are powered by onsite distributed generation, providing electric, heat, and cooling to connected critical facilities located in a small geographic area. Separated from the main grid, the microgrids do not fall to the problems found in the main grid and can keep vital services in place in case of an emergency.