Who owns a community microgrid?
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.

How is interconnection of the community microgrid project resource(s) handled?
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.

May the owner of the project resource continue selling energy, even when the microgrid is islanded?
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.

Will I experience an outage when my meter switches to the microgrid battery? Will I know when I'm on microgrid mode?

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.

How might electric vehicles be integrated into a community microgrid to support load balancing and bolster resiliency?
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.

Will the community still be a part of PG&E’s electric grid?

Yes, the community microgrid will be seamlessly connected to the broader grid most of the time. The community microgrid will go into island mode and operate independently only when the utility grid is unavailable. For the safety and stability of the grid, PG&E retains operational control over the islanding status of the microgrid.

What types of outages will the community microgrid provide back-up support for?

It depends on the specific design of the microgrid. Generally, microgrids can be designed to address a wide range of potential causes of outages such as PSPS events, earthquakes, grid maintenance work and grid failures. Your technical partner and PG&E can help advise on vulnerabilities in your area and microgrid design options to help mitigate the potential for outages.

Will the Project Resources sell energy directly to the customers within the microgrid?

The Community Microgrid Aggregator may not directly sell power to customers within the microgrid. However, front of the meter resources can participate in the CAISO wholesale markets for energy and related services during Blue Sky and Island Modes. The revenue generated from those sales will accrue to the community or their designated partner.

Do energy rates change with a microgrid?

The existence of a microgrid, by itself, will not modify customer energy rates for those customers within the microgrid boundary compared to similarly situated customers outside of the boundary. Customers within the microgrid still receive service from PG&E, or a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA), or a Direct Access (DA) provider. Customers will be metered and billed according to their selected rate plan, whether the microgrid is operating in Blue Sky Mode or Island Mode.

What is the CPUC's Clean Energy Access Grants Program and how does it relate to MIP?

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.

What communities have benefited from microgrids so far?

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.

Can my community develop a microgrid via these programs if we have a local CCA or buy power from a WAPA or a municipal utility?

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.