RVC Getting $1 Million To Make Power Grid More Resilient

Rockville Centre is just one of three municipalities on Long Island to be awarded $1 million from the state to create a microgrid that will modernize its power system and make it more resilient in emergencies.

The village, along with Freeport and Huntington, received the money as part of the second stage of the NY Prize Community Microgrid competition. The money will help Rockville Centre develop its own microgrid, which provides backup power in emergencies.

"It's critical that communities across New York have reliable power to provide vital services when they are needed the most," Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a release. "These awards will help local government modernize and harden their power infrastructure, as well as join this administration’s fight against climate change, and create a cleaner, greener, Empire State for all."

Microgrids use multiple types of power generation to keep areas of a larger grid active in the event of a blackout or emergency. As one of only three municipalities on Long Island that generates its own power, Rockville Centre was a prime candidate for the program.

"Thank you to Governor Cuomo for this $1 million grant to modernize Rockville Centre's energy infrastructure," said Senator Todd Kaminsky. "This investment will allow Rockville Centre to upgrade to an efficient, environmentally sensitive and cost-effective energy alternative that will help secure our energy supply. I will continue working to improve our energy infrastructure across the South Shore."

The Rockville Centre microgrid will include solar power and gas-fired power generation. It will potentially include energy storage as well. The microgrid would not cover the entire village, though -- it would serve about 2,900 residents and vital facilities in the downtown area, such as the fire houses, police station, village hall and South Nassau Communities Hospital.

Photo: Google Maps