The Tenino Grid Modernization initiative for the City of Tenino, is a partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, and Puget Sound Energy. The initiative is focused on “designing, installing, and testing the first utility-scale microgrid in PSE’s service area… to enhance services for the Tenino community and pave the way for a cleaner, better energy future for all of us”. 

This innovative project combines solar panels and batteries that can store solar energy to provide “cleaner, energy solutions to Tenino”. According to the Washington State Department of Commerce, “the primary installation will be an approximately 1MW/2MWh lithium-ion battery at PSE’s Blumaer substation and solar array on adjacent land, complementing existing solar panels at nearby Tenino High School. Combined, the system will form a microgrid capable of providing temporary back-up power to the school during an outage”

The Tenino Grid Modernization project is led by: David Watterson, TCAT Board member and Tenino City Council member, and has been very involved in planning and promoting this project.

For more information about the initiative and an anticipated timeline click here!