Weathering the Storm: Microgrid feasibility studies for municipal applications

As climate change normalizes extreme weather events, grid and community resiliency are increasingly challenged. Municipalities face a growing need to protect the continuity of critical government and emergency services. Municipalities are also setting aggressive clean energy goals to combat climate change. Microgrids can help achieve clean energy goals and provide resilient electric systems for critical services.

This paper includes lessons learned about most applicable tools and best methodologies and processes when assessing microgrid feasibility. We hope the results of the feasibility studies can inform other communities’ processes and help facilitate more successful discussion of microgrids and CRCs installations in other municipalities.

Presented at the 2022 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Co-authors: Maddie Koolbeck, Lee Shaver, Jeannette LeZaks