Assessment of an Alternative Renewable Energy-Based Hybrid Microgrid for NJ TRANSITGRID Project
Authors
Joe Goodenbery, Eliasid Animas, Joe Walderman
About this Assessment
Conducted by Strategen Consulting, Inc. on behalf of Empower NJ and Clean Energy Group, this analysis was prepared in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) for the design and development of a backup power generation project to maintain the operation of critical portions of its transportation infrastructure during grid outages. The RFP called for a new microgrid facility on 20 acres of land in Kearny, able to produce up to 140 MW of power that could power approximately 40% of NJ Transit’s normal daily commuting load and operate full-time selling power back to the grid. Based on several NJ Transit documents, including its Industry Briefing Document, it is understood that the proposed microgrid is expected to be powered by a combined-cycle (CC) gas plant, further deepening environmental justice harms to surrounding communities already overburdened by fossil infrastructure.
Strategen analyzed an alternative solution that provides critical power to the transit system while reducing exposure to fuel price volatility and minimizing emissions: a renewable energy-based hybrid microgrid system featuring solar, energy storage, and a backup gas turbine. Our analysis determined that this hybrid microgrid system would be a viable, reliable, and preferred alternative to a CC gas plant for meeting NJ Transit’s critical loads during severe weather-related outages. The solar, energy storage, and gas turbine system would offer higher financial benefits, and substantial environmental and health benefits as well as minimize risks associated with gas price volatility, stranded costs, and fuel availability. Unlike a CC gas plant, which will incur additional costs to replace by 2050 or otherwise convert to mitigate its associated emissions, this alternative solution is already clean and can provide greater financial certainty in meeting NJ Transit’s long-term needs for resilient and reliable backup power during periods of electricity disruption.
Suggested Citation
Goodenbery, Joe, et al., Assessment of an Alternative Renewable Energy-Based Hybrid Microgrid for NJ TRANSITGRID Project, Strategen, March 2023.
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