The State Bond Commission recently approved $5.1 million for two microgrid projects in Bridgeport and Milford ”“ designed to keep critical buildings and facilities powered if the electrical grid goes down.
Microgrids provide power to key facilities during extreme weather, including police and fire departments, state and town emergency response centers, shelters, dining facilities, grocery stores and gas stations.
The Bridgeport project will receive $2.2 million of the approved funding, which will go toward the development of a microgrid to power University of Bridgeport campus buildings, including a dining hall, recreation center, student center, police station and two residence halls. The university buildings can provide shelter to about 2,700 residents in the event of an emergency.
The Milford microgrid will supply power for several government buildings, senior facilities and a school.
The projects are part of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s microgrid program, created by legislation signed in 2013 by Gov. Dannel Malloy.
In July 2013, DEEPÂ awarded $18 million to nine microgrid projects with its first round of grants in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Groton, Middletown, Storrs, Windham, Woodbridge and Hartford.
“These microgrid projects in Bridgeport and Milford, in addition to the other projects previously approved, will improve public health and safety by allowing for the continuation of municipal services and giving residents a place to seek shelter and stay warm and dry,” DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said in a statement. “Microgrids are a key part of our efforts to build and harden the resiliency of our state.”
