Along with Pendleton and Warm Springs, Talent was recently selected for the Energy Storage for Social Equity Initiative, a new program of the DOE鈥檚 Office of Electricity aimed at 鈥渦nderserved and frontline communities.鈥� As a participant, the Pacific Northwest National Lab will provide technical assistance to assess battery storage feasibility, locations for community solar projects, and do economic analysis, among other things.
The non-profit Rogue Climate applied for the initiative to prepare Talent for future energy challenges in the face of extreme weather.
鈥淓ssentially trying to create a system that would be more resilient to potential power outages and things like that by incorporating battery storage,鈥� says Maeve Hogan, an AmeriCorps member working with Rogue Climate.
鈥淭he [Energy Storage for Social Equity Initiative] supports underserved communities鈥� use of energy storage as a means of increasing resilience and maximizing energy flexibility in the face of a changing climate,鈥� reads a statement from the office of Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR, who announced the participating Oregon towns.
The exact details of Talent鈥檚 energy project are not defined, but Hogan says this initiative will contribute to the town鈥檚 clean energy plan and hopefully lay the groundwork for a 鈥渟hovel-ready鈥� project that could incorporate battery storage and community solar in the future.
鈥淏attery storage enables us to ensure access to power even when it goes out, even for a limited amount of time which can be really life-saving. As we鈥檝e seen, extreme heat and smoke and fire can be really life-threatening,鈥� Hogan says.
Talent, Pendleton and Warm Springs are among 14 communities nationwide that are participating in the program.
