(WNY News Now) On January 28, the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities will hold a public meeting to inform locals about the Community Microgrid Project, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at enhancing energy resilience and powering essential services.
The inaugural community information gathering introducing the Jamestown Community Microgrid Project is open to the public. The meeting is scheduled to take place between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, in the Police Training Room, located at 200 East Third Street, Jamestown City Hall, fourth floor.
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has been given a contract by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a microgrid and implement related distribution system resiliency improvements in the Jamestown electric area. The contract was finalized in October 2024 after the grant was awarded in late 2023.
In order to provide a high degree of utility dependability and resilience in the heart of downtown Jamestown, the BPU microgrid system will leverage the current energy producing equipment to power a robust network of subterranean electrical distribution circuitry, independent of the regional grid system.
Critical public services, the local hospital and medical institutions, designated emergency shelters, schools, and other businesses will all receive energy thanks to the microgrid. In the event of an unplanned power outage, emergency EV vehicles will be able to be charged thanks to a secure fleet charging station.
The utility’s existing gas turbine can be black-started by the microgrid system in the event of an emergency that occurs outside the BPU territory and cuts power to the BPU’s service region. The central region of Downtown Jamestown will continue to have thermal and electrical service thanks to the utility’s subterranean circuit network, the District Heating system, and the installation of a black start battery storage system. If the BPU’s power plant is able to function, the Microgrid Project will assist guarantee that any unplanned electrical outage from the grid would be brief.
The Jamestown Community Microgrid Project will be explained during the public meeting on January 28. This will be followed by a quick Q&A period. People should enter through Tracy Plaza’s main City Hall door, pass security, and ride the elevator to level four in order to attend the meeting. After exiting the elevator, turn right and go to the Police Training Room by following the signage.
The Microsoft TEAMS meeting program is used to create a virtual link for interested residents who are unable to attend the meeting in person. That link is available at https://www.jamestownbpu.com/417/Microgrid-Community-Benefits, the BPU website.