OROVILLE — The city is batting up for an opportunity to build an energy microgrid with solar panels and battery cells independent from PG&E, proposed to bring energy resiliency during outages and emergencies.
Santa Cruz based engineering consultant company Our Energy is seeking to apply for up to $18 million in a grant, on behalf of Oroville, that would fund microgrid infrastructure in select parts of the city.
If successful, the microgrid may support vital buildings during blackouts like the Oroville Convention Center, the city’s Police Department and city hall.
The scope of the project has not been determined, but a study to determine which areas would be energized in this grid was approved to be funded in a deposit Tuesday by the Oroville City Council for $5,000.
Our Energy Chief Operating Officer Curt Dowdy in a presentation said Oroville is uniquely qualified for the grant ahead of other California cities because of its rural and fire risk status.
With a microgrid, Oroville will have the opportunity to expand energy supply as the city grows with industry.
“Cultivating a pathway for energy independence I think is a good path for the city,” Dowdy said.
Councilors brought up concerns of long term costs — the city would own the microgrid and would be responsible for any future costs incurred.
Councilor Scott Thomson raised concerns about solar panels taking up valuable real estate and did not agree with a claim Dowdy made that microgrids are the future.
Thomson, while voting yes, held concern that the micro grid would outgrow its scope — that Oroville, unlike other metropolitan cities, is spread out and therefore more difficult to energize large areas. He said he would like to see it limited to the Oroville Convention Center and city buildings on Montgomery Street.
Mayor David Pittman said he looked forward to the study in order to determine the scope of the project.
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