The Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) grant program (as created by House Bill 22-1013) is designed to build community resilience regarding electric grid disruptions through the development of microgrids.
A microgrid is defined as a group of interconnected electric loads and distributed energy resources with clearly defined electrical boundaries that can function as a single, controllable entity with respect to the electric grid. Therefore, a microgrid can be connected to or disconnected from the electric grid to enable it to operate either in “grid-connected mode” or in “island mode.”
Microgrids are one solution for expanding grid reliability and resiliency. For additional State funding opportunities related to grid resiliency, please visit the Colorado Energy Office Grid Electric Grid Resilience Funds website. To keep up-to-date with grid resilience funding, sign up for the Colorado Grid Resiliency email list-serv.
Update on MCR Construction and Planning Grant Applications
The 2024 Application Period for Construction and Planning Grants will be open March 13 - June 13, 2024. Please see the Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) below for more details:
- MCR Construction/Implementation Storage/Controller NOFA 2024
- MCR Construction/Implementation Microgrid-Tied Generation NOFA 2024
- MCR Planning Grant NOFA and Application Guidelines- 40101d State Match 2024
The Colorado Resiliency Office will also host three webinars and one office hours during this application cycle:
- March 6, 10-11:30 a.m. - Webinar 1: Public Health, Extreme Weather & Microgrids. This session will include presentations from Collective Energy and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on the intersecting needs of healthcare centers, extreme weather, and grid resilience. Public Health, Extreme Weather & Microgrids recording and Public Health, Extreme Weather & Microgrids slidedeck are available.
- April 2, 1-2 p.m. - Webinar 2: Microgrids for Community Resilience Overview & Best Practices. This session will include an overview of the project, eligible entities and projects, as well as best practices learned from previous awardees. The Microgrids for Community Resilience Overview & Best Practices recording and Microgrids for Community Resilience Overview & Best Practices Slide Deck are available.
- April 17, 9-10 a.m. - Webinar 3: Technical Assistance Offerings. This session will include an overview of free technical assistance, COSSA’s Solar In Your Community programming, and direct pay overview from the Colorado Energy Office. [Recording and slidedeck available]
- May 30, 1-2 p.m. - Office Hours. This session is offered as drop-in support ahead of the application deadline.
2023 Planning and Construction grants are closed - stay tuned for award announcements in Winter 2024.
Please reference the following updates in the left side bar for more information:
Who Should Apply
All utilities, local governments, and public/non-profit community anchor institutions serving Colorado communities are eligible to apply for the construction/implementation funding through the MCR Program. All proposed microgrid projects must center around strengthening resilience to community-based anchor institutions and/or essential infrastructure. Community anchor institutions are schools; libraries; hospitals or other health-care facilities; law enforcement, emergency medical service providers, or other public safety agencies; government offices; community organizations that support marginalized communities; or other critical community service facilities.
Cooperative electric associations and municipally-owned utilities that serve one or more eligible rural communities located within the applicant’s service territory are eligible to apply for both planning grants and construction/implementation grants. Rural communities are defined as a county with a population of less than 50,000 or a municipality/unincorporated area with a population of less than 25,000. The population criteria applies to the community/communities that the microgrid serves and is located in. You may refer to the Populations of Colorado Counties, Municipalities, and Unincorporated Areas for clarity on the definition of rural.
Eligibility is guided by the MCR’s two funding sources: House Bill 22-1013 and Department of Energy 40101d formula funding.
Annual Reports
The following annual reports adhere to the reporting requirements listed in HB22-1013:
- Microgrids for Community Resilience Annual Report 2023
- Microgrids for Community Resilience Overview (Update as of December 30, 2022)
Technical Assistance
A compiled list of state and federal technical assistance is available. DOLA has heard from stakeholders that a list of vendors that provide microgrids-related services is helpful for soliciting RFPs and understanding the offerings available. We have compiled a non-exhaustive list of vendors who have reached out to us. Please note: DOLA has not vetted these vendors and are not involved in the vendor selection processes. Complete the Microgrids Vendors Servicing Colorado Request Form if you would like to be added to the list. For removal from this list, please email Julia Masters.
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Funding Decisions
Year 1 funding applications (round 1 and round 2) for planning grants are now closed. Awardees for the second round of planning grants will be announced in Winter 2024. The first round of MCR Planning Grants were awarded to eight projects at five utilities in July 2023 (see map). Get more information about the awardees.
Public Engagement
Recent webinars are listed below to support and strengthen applications:
2023 Construction/Implementation and Planning kickoff webinar: October 5, 2023
- This recorded webinar covered the September - November application window, which includes construction and planning funding from DOE 40101d, as well as remaining HB1013 funded construction. The 2023 Construction/Implementation and Planning kickoff webinar slidedeck and the 2023 Construction/Implementation and Planning kickoff recording are now available.
Planning for Microgrids Webinar: February 14, 2023
- This recorded workshop covered microgrids in Colorado; background on the MCR program, including the recent launch of the MCR planning grants; case studies and examples of microgrid projects that are community-based; a presentation from our U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contractors on technical assistance that is available free to applicants, including a demo of a microgrids modeling tool. The Planning for Microgrids Webinar slidedeck, Planning for Microgrids Webinar recording, and takeaways document are available.
Program Contacts
Please direct any questions to the MCR Program Manager:
Julia Masters
Email: julia.masters@state.co.us
Phone: 303-349-1616
Marguerite Harden
Local Resiliency Manager
Email: marguerite.harden@state.co.us
Phone: 303-540-5426