An aerial view of the Arlington Microgrid and North County Training Center. (Snohomish County PUD)

An aerial view of the Arlington Microgrid and North County Training Center. (Snohomish County PUD)

Experimental micro electrical grid to be built in Arlington

It would incorporate multiple energy technologies and provide backup in emergencies.

ARLINGTON — A $9.5 million project focused on renewable energy and the creation of a microgrid, which could operate independently from the rest of the area’s power grid in an emergency, is planned near the Arlington Municipal Airport.

The Arlington Microgrid and Clean Energy Technology Center is on track to be built next year at 17601 59th Ave. NE. Snohomish County PUD is in charge of the project, which is supported by a $3.5 million grant from the Washington Clean Energy Fund.

It’s expected to be one of the first five microgrids in the state, project manager Scott Gibson said.

The center would incorporate multiple energy technologies, according to the public utility district. An array of solar panels would generate power. At nearly 600 kilowatts, it is expected to be one of the largest in the state. A battery system would store energy. Electric vehicles could plug into the system to charge or discharge energy.

The microgrid would provide an emergency back-up in case of a disaster, such as a major storm or an earthquake. While the solar panels normally will feed into the larger PUD network to power homes and businesses, the Arlington location could be disconnected if needed.

“The system allows us to basically island it,” said Neil Neroutsos, PUD spokesman. “We could isolate it and run the facility separate from the grid … We have some experience with solar, but we’ve never used it with a microgrid, so that’s a new component.”

This graphic shows the various components of the microgrid system. (Snohomish County PUD)

This graphic shows the various components of the microgrid system. (Snohomish County PUD)

The goal is to bring the microgrid online by 2020, Neroutsos said. A second phase of construction would add a new Arlington PUD office by 2022. In an emergency, the microgrid would power that office so the PUD could work toward recovery efforts, including restoration of power to affected areas.

“It’s like a renewable-powered emergency generator,” Gibson said. “So instead of having a fossil fuel generator, a diesel-powered generator, it’s going to be powered by the sun.”

Critical facilities, such as hospitals and fire and police stations, are looking at microgrids and renewable energy for their back-up power options, Gibson said. The PUD has 26 acres in Arlington, where the new center would be a chance to research and evaluate a solar-powered microgrid.

“It’s a way for us to learn more about how all of these technologies — batteries and solar and electric vehicles and microgrids — can benefit the utility as well as our rate-payers,” Gibson said. “I think it’s going to be a really interesting project, and I think people are going to learn a lot from it.”

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.