Washington State’s Clallam County PUD has been awarded two competitive grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce to support clean energy projects.
The grants, totaling $648,274, will fund the design and construction of an innovative microgrid at the decommissioned Sequim Substation. Capable of operating independently of the main grid, the new microgrid will create a model for enhanced resilience on the North Olympic Peninsula and beyond.
The first Clean Energy Fund 5 Grid Modernization grant of $128,000 will support the design phase of the Sequim Substation Microgrid Project. The second grant of $520,274, awarded through the General Clean Energy Fund, will fund the construction of the microgrid.
"These grants represent a major step forward in our efforts to modernize the electric grid and increase energy resilience for our community," said Sean Worthington, General Manager. "These projects will demonstrate how we can integrate renewable energy and smart grid technologies to provide more reliable power, especially in the event of prolonged outages following severe weather events or natural disasters."
This grid modernization project features a solar PV powered microgrid capable of running continually in off-grid mode for extended periods. Smart inverters and a 200 kWh lithium-ion battery will store and supply a critical communications hut that supports the central fiberoptic broadband network serving all seven regional internet providers. The project will incorporate two EV charging stations and will utilize peak shaving and demand response needed to prepare Clallam PUD’s distribution system for a greenhouse gas free electrical grid.
"This project will serve as a model for how rural utilities can leverage clean energy technologies to strengthen grid resilience,” said Shailesh Shere, General Superintendent. “We're excited to demonstrate the benefits of microgrids and pave the way for similar projects across our region and state."
Construction of the microgrid is expected to begin in 2025, with completion anticipated by the end of that year.
The project is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health.
