$100,000 Microgrid Grant for Clarkstown

Clarkstown is among the local municipalities in the lower Hudson Valley awarded about $100,000 to support innovative microgrid projects.

The NY Prize Microgrid Competition is a first-in-the nation $40 million competition to help communities in New York State create microgrids. More than 130 proposals were submitted statewide.

As one of 23 communities in the Mid-Hudson region selected as a Stage 1 winner, Clarkstown will receive $100,000 to complete a feasibility assessment for the creation of a standalone energy system that can operate independently in the event of a power outage.

Now, the awarded communities will study the feasibility of installing a community microgrid—which is a standalone energy system that can operate independently of the main grid in the event of a power outage. Such systems would integrate renewable power with other advanced energy technologies to create a cleaner, more affordable and more resilient localized energy grid for a limited number of users.

Clarkstown’s feasibility assessment will evaluate a project to construct a community microgrid to serve several vital facilities within the town during an emergency. Here’s the description:

Orange and Rockland Utilities’ coverage area has experienced significant interruption of service due to storm-related events. This includes loss of power for over a week due to Hurricane Sandy and similarly crippling results from Hurricane Irene. The town will explore a mix of generation including solar, diesel, and natural gas. The proposed microgrid would provide power to town hall, fire department, police department, four Rockland County government buildings, an animal hospital, three schools, three shelters, three affordable housing complexes, three commercial buildings, two gas stations, two grocery stores, and the ambulance corps.

Partners: Town of Clarkstown, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Rockland County, New City Chamber of Commerce, Booz Allen Hamilton, Power Analytics, and Siemens USA.

The 83 communities receiving support for feasibility studies may choose to apply for detailed engineering support in Stage 2 of the competition, which is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

NY Prize is a three-stage competition administered by NYSERDA, with support from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, to support community grid planning and development. NY Prize offers support for feasibility studies, audit-grade engineering design and business planning, and project build-out and post-operational monitoring. To learn more about NY Prize and the competition structure, visit www.nyserda.ny.gov/ny-prize.