The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) announced grant awards to 15 recipients totaling US$915,265 to study the feasibility of Critical Infrastructure Microgrids and Community Resilience Centers (CIMCRC) across Wisconsin. The PSC established the CIMCRC pilot grant program on June 4, 2021, as part of the Office of Energy Innovation's (OEI) annual activities. The program focuses on innovative pre-disaster mitigation through critical infrastructure microgrids and other resilient building strategies.
Each approved project will study the feasibility of deploying renewable energy, energy storage, and grid-interactive controls to bolster preparedness and resiliency in various critical facilities (including a hospital complex, airport, water treatment facility, municipal operations buildings, and tribal facilities). The state funds will be matched by US$611,438 in funds from awardees.
"Supporting efforts to develop energy security and resiliency strategies for Wisconsin communities are essential to protect residents, businesses, and critical services from severe weather events and other grid interruptions," said Rebecca Cameron Valcq, chairperson, PSC . "I am hopeful that these feasibility studies will stimulate local leaders across the state to learn from other communities and further develop Wisconsin's knowledge and planning in the area of Critical Infrastructure and Community Resilience Centers."
Applications were available from June 28, 2021, to Aug 6, 2021. Wisconsin municipalities, universities, schools, hospitals, and like entities (MUSH market): cities, villages, towns, counties, K-12 school districts, tribes, municipal water and wastewater utilities, municipal electric utilities, municipal natural gas utilities, University of Wisconsin System campuses and facilities, Wisconsin Technical College System, public or nonprofit hospitals, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits were encouraged to apply for funding.
