The public is invited to attend an informational presentation about the Microgrid Phase 1 Feasibility Study on Thursday, May 17th at the Poricy Park Nature Center (345 Oak Hill Road) from 7-9PM.
Last August, Middletown Township was awarded a $150,000 grant from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to hire experts to conduct an initial study to determine a cost-effective configuration that will allow the Township to use local resources to power critical facilities, especially during times of emergency.
These highly-qualified experts, including engineers and designers, will be presenting their ideas and approach for a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) microgrid solution in the Bayshore area that will reinforce the Township’s power supply. The microgrid would prevent prolonged power outages such as the one we experienced during Superstorm Sandy, and also help insulate Naval Weapons Station Earle, multiple fire departments, schools, and other critical facilities. A microgrid can remain connected to the wider electric grid, but can also function independently during an emergency situation. Join us to learn more about the intent of the microgrid, the objectives and drivers, the critical facilities this energy resource would help protect should power fail, and other municipalities where this has been successful. There will also be a Q&A session after the presentation.
Presenters/Agenda:
- Kevin Settembrino, Deputy Mayor, Middletown Township (Welcome/Introduction)
- Michael Hornsby, Chief Project Development Officer NJBPU (BPU Background)
- Fred Brody, Owner, Brody Business Development (Related NJ Initiatives)
- Dennis Blazak, Community Plans and Liaison Officer at Naval Weapons Station Earle (NWS Earle Participation)
- Paul Heitman, Independent Consultant for IEEE Standards Association (Middletown Project Data & Technology Topics)
- Joe Blackwell, Leidos Engineering (Middletown Feasibility Study Program Overview)
- Fred Brody (Community Engagement Approach)
- Tony Mercantante (Community Dialogue/Q&A)