Plattsburgh Residents’ Aspirations and Concerns for A Community MicrogridAaron Baltich-Schecter, Antwan Clark, Kimberly Bailey, Patrick Montouri. Faculty mentors: Dr. Lauren Eastwood; Dr. Curt Gervich.

The Plattsburgh Microgrid Feasibility Study is a SUNY Plattsburgh and Center for Earth and Environmental Science led project to explore the potential of constructing a community microgrid among the college, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, two neighborhood residential care facilities, Plattsburgh High School and a large apartment complex. The microgrid would provide power to these facilities in the case of a long-term power outage.

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Figures 1, 2 & 3. Plattsburgh residents provided clear messages at an energy-focused community forum held on November 11th, 2015, at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital.

Emphasis on CommunityParticipants in the forum stressed the importance of collective, shared action to support vulnerable Plattsburgh citizens during emergencies such as long-term power outages. One SUNY Plattsburgh student hoped to see the microgrid serve as a platform for voluntary community efforts to assist residents in times of need. For example, the microgrid could allow for meals-on-wheels services to provide food to residents without power. Several speakers at the forum expressed concern that the microgrid remain in public ownership. Several participants highlighted their appreciation for the Plattsburgh Municipal Lighting Department.

Emphasis on Renewable EnergyAttendees at the forum stressed the importance of drawing on renewable energy sources to power the microgrid. “Is it possible to do geothermal?”, one resident inquired. Many participants wondered whether solar and wind were options in the City of Plattsburgh. Others expressed their opposition to natural gas, a common power source for microgrids. Concerns over natural gas ranged from its ties to hydraulic fracturing in nearby states (hydraulic fracturing is prohibited by law in New York) to methane’s high radiative forcing capability.

Emphasis on ResiliencyParticipants in the forum recognized the importance of maintaining normal operations at the microgrid’s partnering institutions during a power outage. Several speakers reminisced about the 1998 Plattsburgh Ice Storm, during which SUNY, CVPH and other community organizations maintained power and served as the backbone of the emergency response effort. One community member suggested that the institutions plugged into the microgrid could provide refuge for people without power in a long-term outage. She noted that during the 1998 storm many residents were trapped in their homes for prolonged periods. Representatives from CVPH discussed how the microgrid could help avoid logistical challenges at care facilities from an influx of citizens with lost power. Officials from SUNY Plattsburgh noted that power outages are disruptive because students may be sent home, course curriculums may be forced to alter, and the Plattsburgh economy could suffer. Participants at the forum voiced consensus over the microgrid’s ability to help the city recover from the effects of long term power outages.

17%

39%44%

Panel/Moderator Independent Input

Total environmental questions and comments

Total resiliency questions and comments

Total community ques-tions and comments

43%

9%

39%

9%Audience Input

Total environmen-tal questions and comments

Total resiliency questions and comments

Total community questions and comments

Total 'other' ques-tions and com-ments

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