Snohomish Public Utility District: Looking to the Future
Alex Chorey, Principal Engineer with Snohomish Public Utility District, shared information on energy storage and microgrid projects, including the new microgrid facility being constructed in Arlington.
The new Arlington Microgrid will be an energy storage facility.
The Snohomish PUD serves the County plus Camano Island. The Snohomish PUD has been a public power provider since 1949. They purchase power from the Bonneville Power Administration, who delivers reliable, affordable and carbon-free hydropower produced in the Columbia River Basin to communities across the Northwest. They purchase a set amount from BPA, and when there is surplus, they can sell it on the open market to other agencies. Conversely, when their demand exceeds supply, like on extremely cold or extremely hot days, they have to buy more power from the open market.
One of the solutions to always having enough power is the ability to store energy. Old technology is diesel powered generators, while the world is moving towards using batteries. PUD is currently working to add 75-100 megawatts of grid-scale energy storage to their energy mix.
Their five strategic priorities are: Bolster operational reliability and resiliency; Evolve and enhance customer experiences; actively help communities thrive, build a sustainable future and to create the culture and capabilities needed for the future.
PUD is currently installing Advance Metering Infrastructure that will give both the utility and customers greater insight into energy usage. This requires replacing the current home and business meters with new technology that sends data directly to them rather than relying on human meter readers.
They have long prioritized providing carbon-free power to their communities while being sensitive to the natural environment in our planning, construction, and operations. With growing momentum toward electrification, decarbonization, local energy generation and storage, and conservation of natural resources, they are uniquely positioned to help their communities develop and achieve their sustainability goals.
Electrification of transportation, heating, and industry will intensify customer and community dependence on electricity, increase overall energy use, and change usage patterns. The regional shift towards clean energy and accelerating climate change creates new operational complexities. Ensuring that energy and water are available whenever and wherever needed will require planning, new and upgraded infrastructure, continual improvement of practices, and responsible financial management.
To deliver on this priority, Snohomish PUD will:
- Develop the capabilities for an increasingly complex energy future
- Build the distribution grid of our future
- Ensure resource adequacy by expanding and protecting resources
- Preserve exceptional customer value
The PUD wants to work together with the communities to figure out how to best make the transition to a decarbonized state that uses no fossil fuels to generate power. The goal is to achieve this by 2030.
For further information, contact Alex Chorey at amchorey@snopud.com
