California Plans to Expedite Microgrid Deployment to Prepare for Utility Power Shutoffs

The California Public Utilities Commission on April 29 proposed a decision adopting short-term actions to expedite the deployment of microgrids and related resiliency strategies that would mitigate the impacts of safety power shutoff events to avoid the risk of power lines starting wildfires. The proposal would direct the state’s large investor-owned electric utilities to streamline interconnection of projects that could be operational by Sept. 1 and calls for collaboration with local and tribal governments.

The proposal aims to improve access to technical resources and utility support for communities that are interested in microgrids and resiliency initiatives. The proposed actions are intended to fast-track development and deployment of projects that could supply power for critical facilities and other customers during outages.

Under the proposal, utilities would implement standardized, pre-approved system designs to interconnect projects the supply power during grid outages. Utilities would adopt methods that enhance the simplicity and transparency of approval processes and prioritize interconnection of projects for important locations, facilities, and customers.

To maximize social resiliency benefits, utilities would alter their net energy metering programs to allow remove storage sizing limits and allow battery installations to charge from the grid prior to a safety power shutoffs event.

Finally, utilities would collaborate with local and tribal governments to educate and inform them about vulnerable electric infrastructure and critical operations that serve local jurisdictions.

The agency proposed to conditionally approve an array of resiliency proposals presented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company and San Diego Gas & Electric Company. These include substation upgrades that can quickly energize local sources of power, procurement temporary generators for key locations, support for community-proposed microgrids, and implementation of software and hardware technology to enhance microgrid operation.

The proposal is open for public comment and will be on the commission’s June 11 voting meeting agenda.