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$750,000 Awarded to Two Organizations Through Maryland Resiliency Hub Grant Program

Baltimore, MD —Today the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is announcing $750,000 in awards to build new solar plus energy storage resiliency hubs, one in Baltimore City and the other in Prince George’s County. Each of these resiliency hub projects will be able to isolate from the grid when it’s down and are designed to have at least a 50% probability of lasting 3 full days with all critical loads being energized. In essence, each of these buildings will become a microgrid for critical operations. Funding for this project is made possible via the MEA Resiliency Hub Grant Program which is funded by the Strategic Energy Investment Fund. 

The two projects selected to receive Resiliency Hub Grants are:  

  • Civic Works, located in the Belair Edison district of East Baltimore at 3501 Brehms Lane, Baltimore, MD will receive $300,000 to support the installation of a 100 kW roof mounted solar array with a 60 kW/300 kWh battery and microgrid control system.  The building serves as a Civic Works training facility.  It is fortunately situated to help the local community if the Herring Run river overflows into the neighborhood.  When operational, the resiliency hub is expected to be open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. and then again from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.  when the grid is down.    
  • Hamilton Manor Apartments, an affordable housing complex at 3326 Lancer Drive Hyattsville, MD will receive $453,600 to support the installation of fourteen (14) rooftop solar arrays, totaling 151.2 kW, with four batteries totaling 265 kWh.  The resiliency hubs will be located in the basements of four of the 17 tenant buildings in the complex.   There are 245 units in this complex, providing a population of about 500 residents.  When operational, the resiliency hub expects to be open 24 hours a day while the grid is down. 

The Resiliency Hub Grant Program supports costs associated with the design and construction of solar plus energy storage microgrids on buildings in high density, Low-and-Moderate Income (LMI) neighborhoods. During periods of grid outage, the solar plus energy storage system (with or without emergency generator) will be used to provide a no-cost resiliency center for the surrounding neighborhood. During grid operation, the solar and energy storage resources may be operated to reduce the cost of electricity to the hosting site.

Resiliency hubs are designed to provide emergency heating and cooling capability; refrigeration of temperature sensitive medications and milk from nursing mothers; plug power for charging of cell phone and computer batteries; certain durable medical equipment, as well as emergency lighting. Resiliency Hubs may also be designated locations (by the city, county, or state) for the distribution of emergency services during extended grid outages. Resiliency hubs are NOT replacements for emergency shelters as they are not required to be designed to survive extreme weather, nor are they required to have food service capabilities, showers, or locker rooms.

This is the third year of the Resiliency Hub Grant program. One system is currently operating at St. Jude Regional Catholic School in Rockville, MD, with a second system in Montgomery County expected online shortly.  

A second opportunity to submit applications for the FY22 Resiliency Hub Grant Program will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.    

For questions and additional information about the Resilient Hub Grant program, and how to submit a Round 2 application, please contact David Comis, Energy Program Manager. He can be reached via email at David.Comis@Maryland.gov.