The MEA announced $2.7 million in funding for the development and construction of microgrids, resilient facility power systems (RFPSs), and resiliency hubs.
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) recently announced that the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Resilient Maryland Program is now accepting applications. This comprehensive program provides preconstruction analysis and capital installation funds for the development and construction of microgrids, resilient facility power systems (RFPSs), and resiliency hubs. It enables reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy to Maryland communities, critical infrastructure, businesses, higher learning campuses, agriculture, and many other industries vulnerable to power outages; $2.7 million of funding is available.
The FY23 Resilient Maryland Program consolidates three MEA resiliency programs into a single streamlined “one-stop” program platform. The current offering includes three Areas of Interest (AOIs): (1) Feasibility and Planning, (2) Microgrid Capital, and (3) Resiliency Hubs. This model provides a continuity of grant offerings to provide funds based on where potential applicant’s projects are in the development-design-construction process, as well as their motivating factors for pursuing the systems.
This program aims to help Maryland communities benefit from strategic deployment of DER systems, and this is especially beneficial for communities and Marylanders that are experiencing disproportionate socioeconomic challenges and vulnerabilities. Microgrids and similar systems can help ease energy burden–the percentage of monthly income a household spends on energy–and resiliency hubs can provide safe, easily-accessible community locations for residents to access power for essential devices, conditioned space, and refrigeration for temperature-sensitive items.
Applications are being accepted competitively under each AOI, and are due by 5:00 P.M. EST, Thursday, January 26, 2023.
