Projects include efficiency audits, battery energy storage, hydroelectric and wind systems
Pendleton, Ore. — The City of Pendleton has received multiple grants for renewable energy projects at Pendleton City Hall, the Pendleton Resource Recovery Facility and the Pendleton Convention Center. Recent funding awards will bring more than $2.5 million into the local community and establish new renewable energy sources in the City of Pendleton.
These recent awards include: a $1 million state grant for a battery energy storage system, $1.5 million in federal earmarks to install wind turbines and a micro-hydroelectric generation system at the Resource Recovery Facility, and $70,000 in grants to complete energy audits at the Pendleton Convention Center and Pendleton City Hall.
ODOE CREP Grant — Byers Well BESS
Last week, the Oregon Department of Energy announced the winning projects from its Community Renewable Energy Grant Program. ODOE reported receiving 76 applications requesting more than $46 million in this grant cycle; ODOE awarded 24 recipients totaling nearly $12 million. One of the largest grants, a $1 million Construction Resilience grant, has been awarded to the City of Pendleton.
Kyle Willman, Assistant Public Works Director, said the grant will install a 500-kilowatt battery energy storage system, or BESS, at the Byers Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well Site. This storage will hold electricity created in the existing micro-hydropower generation system and allow it to be used during outages or emergencies, sustaining power in the well system and optimizing grid operations.
“With support from the ODOE CREP grant, we will integrate a battery energy storage system at one of the Pendleton ASR wells to help provide load shifting, emergency backup power, and improved operational flexibility. This project advances our commitment to reliable, efficient operations and supports long-term community resilience,” Willman said.
Federal investment: Wind and hydroelectric system
The ODOE grant builds on other successful planning and funding for renewable energy projects in the City.
In January, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced more than $100 million in federal investments for Oregon projects.
“Community-initiated projects are rooted in the fact that no one knows the unique needs of communities across Oregon like the folks living and working in them. The communities identified top projects, and we fought for them,” Merkley said in the announcement. “Together with Senator Wyden and members of Oregon’s House delegation, we secured funding for 54 of these important homegrown projects that will benefit Oregonians in every corner of the state for years to come.”
The $1.5 million will install wind turbines and a micro-hydroelectric generation system at the Pendleton Resource Recovery Facility (RRF).
This project will diversify the renewable power resources and will expand ongoing renewable energy projects at the RRF, including the award-winning solar canopy project over the chlorine contact chamber.
“Upgrading the Pendleton Resource Recovery Facility with micro-hydro and micro-wind systems will reduce long-term energy costs, improve resiliency, and help protect ratepayers from rising power prices,” Willman said. “These investments generate clean, on-site power while strengthening the reliability of essential wastewater services and build upon the City’s previous renewable energy projects to maximize their long-term benefits.”
ODOE ECAPP Grant – Pendleton Convention Center and Pendleton City Hall
Rounding out the recent funding announcements are two grants for analysis of future energy planning in City buildings.
The State of Oregon has taken steps to reduce energy use and emissions in commercial buildings, and the Early Compliance Action and Planning Program (ECAPP) is designed to incentivize building owners to offset costs of compliance with Building Performance Standards, especially toward meeting the State’s energy use targets. The City of Pendleton has been awarded two $35,000 grants for energy audits of the Pendleton Convention Center and Pendleton City Hall. These audits will evaluate the state of the buildings, test building energy consumption and outline recommendations to make the facilities more energy efficient.
“We appreciate the ODOE’s Early Compliance Action and Planning Program for funding energy audits at Pendleton Convention Center and Pendleton City Hall. This support helps us meet new Building Performance Standards and improve building efficiency,” Willman said.
The City of Pendleton is working with Ameresco on this project.
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The City of Pendleton is a vibrant and active community with a rich heritage and a lively history. Located at the base of the Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon, Pendleton is well known for its world-class Pendleton Round-Up rodeo, a thriving arts culture and many historic attractions. To learn more, visit www.pendletonor.gov