Microgrids that provide energy and storage independent of the grid can be a critical factor in keeping power on during severe storm events and grid outages. They can provide energy back up for critical local government and business facilities with large energy loads like hospitals, police and emergency buildings, and to large facilities like schools that would serve as community resilience centers.
With support from the cities of La Crosse and Eau Claire, and from Gundersen Health System, Xcel Energy asked Public Service Commission (PSC) regulators to approve a pilot program for large customer microgrids similar to one they launched in Colorado with seven community projects beginning January 2020. For solar plus storage, using batteries to store solar generated electricity will reduce the need for natural gas peaker plants. Request for Qualifications for Xcel’s Resiliency as a Service WSJ, microgridnews
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Xcel’s Resiliency as a Service are due February 1, 2021 by 5:00 pm. Questions can be submitted through January 11.