Microgrids: Resilient Electricity for a Changing Climate

Electricity powers our communications, lights our homes and businesses, propels our trains, and keeps our hospitals running—literally keeping people alive. Plans for our clean energy future depend on electricity generated by low- or no carbon sources to move our vehicles, as well as heat and cool our homes. We take for granted that electricity will be there when we need it.

Against this backdrop, this Climate Adaptation Forum explored the value of microgrids, combined heat and power (CHP), solar power, and other sources of electricity in assuring municipalities and institutions have reliable power even when the grid is down to ensure a reliable electricity supply as our climate changes. Panelists also discussed the potential of microgrids to provide significant benefits in addition to a resilient electricity system.

Workshop Summary [0.2 MB docx]

Agenda

  • Welcome and Introduction
    Robert Graff - Manager, Office of Energy and Climate Change Initiatives, DVRPC
  • Panel of Experts [0.4 MB pdf]
  • Baird Brown - Principal, eco(n)law LLC. Co-counsel to the Microgrid Resources Coalition
  • Ben Parvey - Founder and CEO, BlueSky Power
  • Joseph Sullivan - Vice President of Energy Policy and Development, Concord Engineering
  • Moderated Panel Discussion and Participant Q&A
    Robert Graff - Manager, Office of Energy and Climate Change Initiatives, DVRPC

Additional Materials

Two resources for additional information on microgrids:

Air Quality Partnership
Annual Report
Connections 2050
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Economic Development District