May 10, 2017
Innovative utilities investing
in highly flexible, resilient, efficient electricity grid for the future
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Department
of Commerce has finalized grants totaling $7 million with two
Washington state utilities to further their innovative work on electricity “microgrid”
projects. Spokane-based private utility Avista, and the Snohomish County Public
Utility District (SnoPUD), each were awarded $3.5 million from the Washington
Clean Energy Fund.
Their projects, and several others making their way through
the grant contract process, represent the next important phase in modernizing
our nation’s electric system to meet demand for more efficient, resilient and
flexible power management and delivery. Industry experts, engineers and
investors are watching closely Washington’s Clean Energy Fund research and
development projects. These real-world implementations of some of the first
significant new concepts and technologies in a generation will illuminate
potential uses, service models and economic benefits for people and communities
all over the world.
“Washington is a state of leaders who share a vision of
sustainable growth and prosperity inherent in the low-carbon economy,” Gov. Jay
Inslee said. “I applaud our utilities and their partners for investing in these
innovative projects that will secure our energy future.”
Creating a “shared energy economy”
Avista (NYSE: AVA) will pilot
a “Shared Energy Economy” model that allows various energy assets -- from solar
panels and battery storage to traditional utility assets -- to be shared and
used for multiple purposes, including system efficiency and grid resiliency. By
doing this, benefits to both the consumer and utility can be
demonstrated.
One aspect of the Avista project includes
exploring energy sharing among buildings. For example, rooftop solar panels and
battery storage units would be installed on two buildings. These buildings
could be connected to a building energy management system that could
automatically sense which building needs power and which building has
sufficient power to share its solar or stored battery power. Since Avista can
also tap into this system, the addition of shared assets allows the utility to
better use the existing resources. Ultimately, the consumer and utility both
benefit in this Shared Energy Economy model.
“Creating a ‘Shared Energy Economy’ model is the latest
example of Avista’s 128-year history of innovation. In a ‘sharing economy’
resources are shared, allowing customers to access goods without ownership. For
example, if you rent a Zipcar, you can pay to use a car when you need it,
instead of owning a personal car. We are excited to explore this concept as it
relates to energy,” said Heather Rosentrater, Avista vice president of energy
delivery. “We know that the energy landscape will continue to change, and as a
utility, we need to ensure our system will be flexible enough to meet the
changing expectations and future needs of consumers.”
Testing small-scale renewables and disaster response
SnoPUD
will build a Microgrid and Clean Energy Technology Center in
Arlington. The facility, currently in the design phase, will demonstrate
how evolving energy technologies – including energy storage, a microgrid
system, small-scale renewable energy and an electric vehicle-to-grid system –
can work together to improve grid resiliency, disaster recovery and renewable
energy integration. It also will include a technology center to educate
industry and the community about these technologies.
“Beyond the considerable
value this facility provides for research of clean energy technologies, we will
also test its viability to serve as a critical backup system for PUD operations
in the event of a major disaster,” said SnoPUD CEO and General Manager Craig
Collar. “We commend the state for supporting innovation in the energy sector
and positioning our region as a leader.”
The utility has already
installed the largest flow battery system in North America, using batteries and
energy storage solutions developed by Washington researchers and companies with
support from prior Clean Energy Fund programs.
“Our state’s investments in clean energy are helping
strengthen communities all across the state,” Commerce Director Brian Bonlender
said. ”As our strengths in information technology and cloud computing converge
in new energy systems and operations, technologies developed and deployed in
Washington are positioned to sell into global markets, creating new jobs and
business opportunities here.”
Since 2013, the Washington State Clean Energy fund has
invested over $72 million and leveraged another $128.7 million in matching
funds from industry partners. Washington state’s numerous clean technology
researchers, companies, investors and public and private utilities are at the
forefront of energy innovation in the United States. Learn more at www.commerce.wa.gov/energy.
Contact:
Penny Thomas, Commerce Communications, 206-256-6106
Twitter: @WAStateCommerce
Facebook: facebook.com/wastatecommerce
|