Microgrid Deployment in Maryland

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Resiliency through Microgrids report sets the course for advanced increased resiliency in power generation throughout the state.

ANNAPOLIS (JUNE 23, 2014) — Governor O’Malley’s Energy Advisor Abigail Ross Hopper has released the Resiliency Through Microgrids Task Force Report, charting a path forward for microgrid deployment in Maryland. Microgrids technology is that which combines clean, distributed power generation with advanced control equipment, enabling portions of the electric grid to remain online even if the wider grid is down. The report is the result of four roundtable meetings with representatives from sister states, project developers, utilities, and non-profit think tanks, as well as ratepayer advocates, legal thought leaders, and others. The Task Force began with the hypothesis that microgrids serving individual customers in a campus style setting are now practicable in Maryland and looked to technology and regulatory solutions that can serve several customers across multiple properties. Additionally, this effort looked to develop public purpose microgrid policies as part of a long-range, holistic vision for the state.

“Maryland is on track to become a leader in microgrid deployment,” said Energy Advisor and Task Force chair Abigail Ross Hopper. “By tackling these important questions of deployment of prototypical projects and cutting edge technologies, we can offer Marylanders another tool to increase the resiliency of the electric distribution system.”

The Task Force report made several important recommendations. First, that Maryland pursues public purpose microgrids in the short term, for uninterrupted electric service to critical community assets such as community centers, commercial hubs, and emergency service complexes. This will provide widespread public benefits when the regional grid is down. The Task Force also concluded that utility-owned and operated microgrids are in the policy interest of Maryland and are practical under current law, which supports development and further regulatory approval. Moreover, the Task Force provides sample policy outlines to potentially authorize third party public purpose microgrids, operated by local governments and private developers, with an eye towards spurring innovation and ensuring consumer protection. Finally, the Task Force recommends that the State create a new Grid Transformation Program to help facilitate these recommendations and run three new grant programs for public purpose microgrid projects, advanced controls, and energy storage.

The Resiliency Through Microgrids Task Force Report is available for review at: http://energy.maryland.gov/reports.html
 
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