The True Cost of Delivering a Resilient Future when Keeping Critical Facilities Online

A looming Cascadia earthquake, growing occurrence of wildfires, and increased dry hot summer days have led Pacific Northwest utilities to take action against natural disasters and prepare vulnerable communities for resiliency. Through an innovative technical assistance program, we uncover the true costs of ensuring community resiliency during times of disaster, reveal the truths about resiliency behind the meter and what it takes to move towards implementation as critical facilities work to adopt resilient energy systems. We explore an energy storage pilot program that recruits communities and their critical facilities to undergo deep analysis into their site to ensure power backup during disaster events as well as evaluate the potential for grid services beyond islanding. We share how to move participants towards action cost-effectively and quickly.