As a part of our ongoing series on PSE’s innovative battery projects around our service area, this month we are highlighting the Tenino Microgrid.
This Grid Modernization initiative, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, is another step in our continued commitment to bringing new technology to our customers. By designing, installing, and testing the first utility scale, battery-plus-solar microgrid in PSE’s service area, our combined efforts will enhance services for the Tenino community and pave the way for a cleaner, better energy future for all of us. This innovative project is possible thanks to a generous $2.7 million grant from the Department of Commerce’s Clean Energy Fund, in addition to a multi-million dollar investment from PSE.
Additionally, PSE was awarded a $150,000 grant from Washington State Department of Commerce Clean Energy fund to help study the feasibility, with analysis and preliminary design to add a renewable hydrogen and/or renewable natural gas-powered generator to the microgrid project at Tenino High School. The microgrid will help support the community to use the school as an emergency shelter in response to severe weather or during natural disasters.
Project details
Solar panels are a renewable energy source that can help reduce greenhouse gas. Batteries can store solar energy for later use— like when the sun doesn’t shine, or during an outage. This innovative project combines both technologies to bring new, and cleaner, energy solutions to Tenino. It will also provide vital learning opportunities for PSE and the entire utility industry.
The primary installation will be an approximately 1MW/2MWh lithium-ion battery at PSE’s Blumaer substation and solar array on adjacent land, complementing existing solar panels at nearby Tenino High School.
Combined, the system will form a microgrid capable of providing temporary back-up power to the school during an outage.
PSE also plans to install a second battery in the area nearby the town of Bucoda to enhance local reliability. The system’s location will be determined by available siting and other factors.