Page 117 - Peterson 85 Years and Going Strong
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 Together we do what we couldn’t do alone
  WHAT IS A MICROGRID?
A microgrid is a small network of electricity users with a local power source usually attached to a centralized national grid but is also able to function independently.
 PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF—2019 SEASON
PSPS-1:
On June 8–9, 2019, the local utility company proactively shut down vulnerable portions of its service territory for public safety. It was their first Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS, of 2019.
PSPS-2:
On September 23, 2019, the local utility company shut off power to 48,000 customers in Butte, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sonoma, and Yuba counties due to high winds and the risk of wildfires. Power was restored by 6pm, September 24.
PSPS-3:
On October 9, 2019, the utility began shutting off power to 800,000 customers across 34 counties of Northern and Central California due to high winds and the risk of wildfire. A week later, a second threat of extreme weather prompted a second phase to PSPS-3. When it was over, the utility inspected roughly 25,000 miles of transmission and feeder lines before re-energizing the system.
   power because of the CARB situation in California,” says Schalk. “Plus, we all have other customers who need equip- ment. We had a lot of business before this PSPS situation happened, so we decided to utilize the Cat network and bring in additional equipment to be able to meet everyone’s needs and com- mitments.
In March 2020, Peterson won that bid along with Aggreko and Unit- ed Rentals. “The utility will now have fifty of our 2 MW power modules on retainer, plus another 25 MW of small- er power units, so that when a PSPS event happens, they can dispatch them out quickly to one of these sites,” says Schalk. “The vendor of choice will be whoever has the right equipment and can respond the quickest. We plan to be the preferred vendor because we re- spond quickly. That’s our specialty.”
George Schalk with a yard full of generators ready to go when needed in 2020
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