Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the Microgrid 2014 MVP Challenge, a competition to support resiliency and adaptation in communities across the nation. The Challenge, which supports the President’s Climate Action Plan, will recognize local organizations that have adopted successful grid strategies which can continue providing vital public services during power disruptions caused by severe weather and other events. The Challenge encourages organizations with operational microgrids to submit their microgrid designs and operational data. Entries will be judged according to four criteria: resiliency, clean energy system, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. DOE anticipates making one $100,000 award in each of the six categories listed below:
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Healthcare facilities;
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Emergency shelters (including housing and schools);
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Municipal facilities (including police and fire stations and water treatment plants);
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Commercial facilities (including financial centers);
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Industrial facilities and activities (including transportation and critical manufacturing); and
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Other government facilities.
For more information on the Microgrid 2014 MVP Challenge, visit:http://www.energy.gov/microgridchallenge. The deadline for applying is August 29, 2014.