(The Center Square) – Gov. Jared Polis and his administration released the Colorado Microgrid Roadmap last week.
The Roadmap outlines how Colorado can improve its power grid resistance through microgrid solutions.
Microgrids are local energy systems that operate independently of the main power grid. They allow homes, businesses, and local services, like hospitals, to stay connected to electricity amid widespread power grid outages.
“Microgrids will bring big benefits to communities across Colorado including in rural areas, by saving people money on energy bills and keeping the power on,” Polis said in a press release from his office. “This roadmap provides a clear path to improve the opportunities for Coloradans to access locally produced, low cost, reliable energy.”
The Colorado Legislature passed bipartisan legislation last session directing the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Colorado Resiliency Office to ponder the uses, benefits, challenges, and policy recommendations for microgrids to improve grid resilience and reliability.