Microgrid contract between U. S. Dept. of Energy, BPU Finalized

One of two pedestrian bridges crossing the Chadakoin River are pictured with the city Board of Public Utilities in the background. The utility has finalized a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy that will allow work to begin constructing a microgrid that will provide reliable power to downtown Jamestown in the case of a power disruption outside of the BPU’s service territory.

The United States Department of Energy has awarded and signed a contract with the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities to finalize an agreement for $17,377,034 in grant funding to create a microgrid and install associated resiliency upgrades in Jamestown.

Work is to begin now.

After the Department of Energy selected the project for possible funding in late 2023, contract negotiations have now been completed, and work is authorized to begin. The money will advance the Jamestown Community Microgrid Project, with the BPU providing a $5,792,648 match. Within five years, the project will deploy a microgrid with electric vehicle charging, energy storage and underground cabling replacement.

“The BPU works hard to provide dependable utilities for our customers,” said David L. Leathers, BPU general manager. “The Jamestown Community Microgrid Project will significantly upgrade the BPU electrical system to further enhance consistency and durability, especially during a catastrophic event.”

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Leathers said the BPU microgrid system will utilize existing generation equipment to power a network of underground electrical distribution circuitry, ensuring reliability and resiliency in the core of downtown Jamestown that is independent of the regional system.

If an emergency occurs outside BPU territory to cut power to the utility’s service area, the microgrid system, using the utility’s existing gas turbine, its network of underground circuits, the District Heating system and the addition of a black start battery storage system, will enable the core area of downtown Jamestown to remain up and running with both electric and thermal service. The second possibility would be that the area experiences only a brief outage in a disruptive event if the microgrid is in place.

The microgrid will enable most of the community’s first responders and critical services to operate more efficiently in case of a significant service interruption during a disastrous event. That includes the Jamestown Police Department, the Jamestown Fire Department, the Jamestown Department of Public Works, the BPU Electric and Water Resources Divisions, Alstar EMS Ambulance Service, UPMC Chautauqua Hospital, the Urgent Care Medical Facility and several large community buildings that could host shelters in case of a prolonged emergency event.

“The Microgrid Project will enable our administration and employees to continue the delivery of utility services to our customers in the case of a major interruption in power from outside our community,” said Greg Anderson, BPU board chairman. “We are gratified to have received this grant and will work to safeguard electric distribution in the downtown Jamestown core area.”

In an earlier news announcement, U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy said the grant will be disbursed to the BPU to undertake a microgrid project to assist the electric utility in enhancing the power grid’s ability to deliver affordable, clean energy.

At the time of the selection announcement, DOE Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm said extreme weather events are expected to continue to strain the nation’s aging transmission systems. She said grants like the one the BPU has received represent the largest-ever direct investment in critical grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden systems and improve energy reliability and affordability.

“The implementation of this project will provide the Jamestown BPU with critical infrastructure to maintain essential services during power outages,” said Mayor Kim Ecklund, BPU board president. “The project aligns with the BPU’s ongoing effort to modernize our utility infrastructure, reduce operating costs and continue to improve the customer experience.”

Leathers expressed his deep appreciation for the Department of Energy grant.

“Significant assistance from this grant will enable the BPU to further strengthen our delivery of electrical services to our customers,” stated Leathers. “We thank the DOE administration and staff as well as our government officials for their support during this application, selection and contract negotiation process. I also commend BPU staff for the grant preparation and all the effort needed to successfully get to this point of starting work on the project.”