SEPA awarded microgrid resilience planning and stakeholder engagement grants
Maryland and Kentucky have selected the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) for two microgrid program grants in exchange for its expertise in resilience planning and stakeholder engagement.
For the first, from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), SEPA will perform a year-long stakeholder engagement process and conduct a feasibility study for a microgrid to support a multifamily housing complex in Annapolis, Maryland. As part of that project, SEPA will develop a preliminary microgrid design model analysis and associated scenario cost estimates. This will then inform upcoming engineering and societal benefit analyses from Baltimore Gas & Electric and Gabel & Associates, respectively.
“Historically, Maryland has imported most of our energy from out of state coal-fired power plants,” explained MEA Director Mary Beth Tung. “The Resilient Maryland pilot offers a unique opportunity for innovation right here in Maryland across a variety of clean energy alternatives, reducing both financial risk and total project costs.”
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet also turned to SEPA to conduct a Regional Microgrid Study. As part of that study, SEPA will identify the potential for microgrids to provide added resilience throughout the state, with an end goal of encouraging private-sector investment and ongoing development.
“SEPA is pleased to continue collaborating with state governments like Kentucky in identifying deployment opportunities for microgrids for hazard risk mitigation and resilience planning,” Jared Leader, manager of industry strategy at SEPA, said.
