Community microgrids

Different elements of a community microgrid are owned by different entities. The Project Resources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and batteries, may be owned by:

• The community
• A Community Choice Aggregator (CCA)
• Another third party

PG&E, as the distribution system operator, will own any distribution upgrades and microgrid special facilities, such as the microgrid controller and grid isolation devices.

Each Project Resource (e.g., solar pv system and battery) is required to interconnect to PG&E’s system. This occurs according to either Rule 21 or the Wholesale Distribution Tariff. The interconnection process is handled independently from the microgrid development process and can take significant time. However, investing time during the Consultation process to appropriately size your microgrid and specify its Project Resources will pay dividends. It can prevent rework and resubmittal of interconnection applications. When you are ready to get started, visit Getting Started Guide for Electric Generator Interconnections (PDF, 314 KB) and speak with your PG&E Resilience Coordinator.

Yes. The microgrid’s Project Resources, such as a solar photovoltaic (pv) system and battery, can participate in wholesale markets for energy and related services both when the microgrid is operating in parallel with the larger grid (“blue sky mode”), and when disconnected from the larger grid (“island mode”). Speak to your interconnection liaison to understand your options.

It depends. Some microgrids are designed for “seamless” transition, during which no outage may be experienced. Other microgrid designs necessitate a “break before make” configuration, in which a brief outage may be experienced before the Project Resource energizes the microgrid.

The CPUC has approved PG&E’s request for a Vehicle-to-Microgrid Public Safety Power Shutoff Microgrid Pilot (Microgrids Pilot). Over the coming years, this pilot will demonstrate customer adoption of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology for community resiliency, among other benefits. The project will include up to 200 EVs to charge and discharge in a multi-customer microgrid to support community resiliency. Please contact a PG&E Resilience Coordinator for more information.

No. The purpose of a community microgrid is to provide energy resilience for when the larger grid is down. As such, most of the time the microgrid is operating in parallel with the larger grid (“blue sky mode”). For the safety and stability of the grid, the utility retains operational control over the islanding status of the microgrid.

They do not change. The existence of a microgrid will not modify energy bills or rates. Customers within the microgrid still receive service as a PG&E, Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) or Direct Access (DA) customer and will be billed according to their selected rate plan.

CMEP and MIP fund multi-customer community microgrids. If the system is designed to serve a single customer, CMEP and MIP are not applicable.

Project Resources, such as a battery energy storage system, can participate in wholesale markets for energy and related services both during “blue sky mode” when the microgrid is connected to the larger grid, as well as during “island mode.” However, the local Project Resources do not directly “sell power” to customers within the microgrid at any time. Customers will continue to be served by their utility, or a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) or Direct Access (DA) provider during both “blue sky mode” and “island mode”.

The Clean Energy Access (CEA) Grant Account will award grants up to $500,000 for work that will address access to or education about the Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP), Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), and Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating Initiative (TECH).

Due to the highly technical nature of the SGIP, MIP and TECH, the CPUC will provide technical assistance for applicants as well as for grantees. A Clean Energy Subject Matter Expert (SME) will provide technical assistance based on the needs of the Tribe’s or CBO’s community.

For technical assistance requests related to the CEA Grant account, contact the Business and Community Outreach Office at capacitygrants@cpuc.ca.gov.

PG&E has deployed multiple microgrids on its distribution system. Our first community microgrid, of the type funded by CMEP and MIP, is the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid. This microgrid is California’s first 100% renewable energy, front-of-the-meter, multi-customer microgrid. It provides enhanced energy resilience for the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station. It was developed in collaboration among PG&E, the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, Schweitzer Engineering Labs, the County of Humboldt, The Energy Authority and TRC.

You may develop a microgrid if your community is served by a local Community Choice Aggregator (CCA). A CCA procures electricity on behalf of retail customers. However, with few exceptions, all customers within the boundary of a community microgrid must be PG&E retail distribution customers, pertaining to the delivery of said electricity. WAPA customers generally do not meet this requirement. See the provisions of the Community Microgrid Enablement Tariff and speak to your PG&E Resilience Coordinator if you have further questions.