(WNY News Now) – The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities invites residents to learn about the groundbreaking Community Microgrid Project, designed to boost energy resiliency and power critical services, at a public meeting on January 28.
The public is invited to the first community information meeting outlining the Jamestown Community Microgrid Project. The session will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, in the Police Training Room, on the fourth floor of Jamestown City Hall, 200 East Third Street.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) a contract to create a microgrid and install associated distribution system resiliency upgrades in the Jamestown electric territory. The grant was awarded in late 2023 and the contract was finalized in October, 2024.
The BPU microgrid system will use existing electricity generation equipment to power a strong network of underground electrical distribution circuitry, ensuring a high level of utility reliability and resiliency in the core of downtown Jamestown, independent of the regional grid system.
The microgrid will guarantee that energy is delivered to critical public services, the regional hospital and medical facilities, designated emergency shelters, schools, and other businesses. It will include a secure electric vehicle fleet charging station so emergency electric vehicles can be charged if there is an unexpected grid interruption.
If an emergency occurs outside BPU territory to cut power to the BPU’s service area, the microgrid system will be able to black start the utility’s existing gas turbine. The utility’s 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 in electrical and thermal service. The Microgrid Project will help ensure that any unexpected electrical interruption from the grid will be brief if the BPU’s power plant can be operated.
The January 28 public session will include an explanation of the Jamestown Community Microgrid Project followed by a brief question-and-answer session. To attend the meeting, people should enter through the main City Hall door on Tracy Plaza, step through security and take the elevator to floor 4. Turn right off the elevator and follow signs to the Police Training Room.
For interested residents who cannot attend the meeting in person, a virtual link is set up using the Microsoft TEAMS meeting application. That link can be found on the BPU’s website at https://www.jamestownbpu.com/417/Microgrid-Community-Benefits.
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