SMPA selected for 2 microgrid grants at Ridgway - Rico status unknown

A July 17, 2024 news release from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) announced more than $2 million in construction grant awards for six microgrid projects proposed by five consumer-owned electric utilities. Funding for these DOLA/CEO Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) awards was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant Program, according to the announcement.

San Miguel Power Association powerpole adjacent to Highway 145 near the round-about west of Telluride, Colorado.

Ore Cart photo
November 29, 2023

. . .

The group of selected Colorado electric service providers consists of:

• 3 cooperatives
• 1 municipality
• 1 municipal generation and transmission consortium

San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) received two grant awards. Excerpts of the DOLA/CEO announcement describing SMPA projects are reproduced below.

July 17, 2024

Construction - Microgrid Tied Generation

Location: Space to Create/Town of Ridgway
Description: Resilience Hub Microgrid
San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) awarded $46,900 to install a microgrid system with a 4.8 kW solar system and 37 kWh of battery storage at the Decker Community Room in Ridgway, CO. This microgrid will provide 1.5 days of backup power.

Construction - Storage/Controller

Location: San Miguel Power Association - Ridgway Office
Description: Microgrid for Community Communications Resilience
SMPA awarded $83,750 to install a 74 kWh battery storage system coupled with an existing 3.5 kW solar array, ensuring backup power for emergency communications.

SMPA last reported the status its Rico microgrid planning progress at the December 20, 2023 Rico Board of Trustees meeting ↗.

more info

Department of Local Affairs Announces Over $2M Awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant Program

SMPA still looking for Rico microgrid solar array site
  Ore Cart - January 16, 2024

San Miguel Power Assn proposes electric backup service for Rico
  Ore Cart - February 10, 2023

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