Credit: Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences
With an overwhelming dual majority in both rooms, the legislative power of Oregon voted to make the state a leader in energy saving with a first-in-the-nation strategy to create a regulatory framework for building microgrids.
Microgrids are local, stand -alone energy systems that are designed to work independently of the larger power network (known as ‘island’), or in coordination with it. This allows systems to continue supplying electricity, even during a grid disturbance. Microgrids can also fill capacity shortages during peak demand times by feeding the schedule, which not only benefits the local community, but also the region as a whole.
There are currently no community possession or worked microgrids in Oregon, and this legislation (HB 2065 and HB 2066) will make it possible for communities to plan, build, possess and value local microgrids -and attach them to the main roster. Microgrids can work with a wide range of power sources, but often use local clean energy supplies such as solar energy, storage, microhydro, biomass or wind. This is unique in the country, because most Microgrids are currently owned by utilities, government or private companies.
“While we look at the development of resilience in our electric grid – for natural disasters and other things – Microgrids become an important player. If we really start to build up resilience at community level with community property, we have to find out and sort it out [HB 2066] Will the Oregon Public Utilities Commission ask to do this, “said representative Mark Owens, district 60.
What HB 2065 And HB 2066 Doing:
- Requires Oregon Public Utilities Commission to create a route map and legal framework for building, possessing and appreciating microgirds in Oregon
- This allows communities to hire external experts
- Increases the implementation of clean energy, the reliability of the electrical system and the modernization of the schedule
- Improves the independence of the countryside of energy, electrical service, economic development and resilience against power outages
- Reduces energy costs in the countryside at a time of up -branching power rates
- Reduces the pressure to build expensive transmission -infrastructure
The bill is now waiting for the Governor’s signature.
News item from Sustainable Northwest
