INFINITE: Integrating Flexible Interconnection Technologies for Electrified Resilience

The purpose of this Agreement is to fund the development and demonstration of an advanced microgrid/distributed energy resource (DER) controller for flexible interconnection and to validate its performance using an emulated utility distributed energy resource management system (DERMS), advancing the controller from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL 7. This project will demonstrate a replicable approach to reduce interconnection timelines and costs while enhancing grid resilience for tribal and disadvantaged communities. This Agreement will also enable expansion of housing at the Colusa Indian Community, which is currently constrained by limited electricity infrastructure capacity, by enabling flexible interconnection in lieu of immediate long lead time upgrades. The proposed project will be constructed entirely on Tribal Trust Land owned by the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community Council (CICC). As a sovereign tribal government, CICC serves as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for all construction, electrical, environmental, and safety approvals. Accordingly, no county or state building permits are required, and no local jurisdiction has discretionary approval authority over the project. Tribal approval processes covering construction, electrical work, trenching, grading, environmental review, and cultural resource protection will be completed following the 60–90% engineering design milestone and prior to construction. These tribal permits are underway but not yet complete, with preliminary site plans, distribution layouts, and equipment specifications already under review by Colusa Indian Energy and the Colusa Indian Community Council. The project occurs on previously disturbed land within an existing housing development envelope, and the scope consists primarily of underground electrical distribution, battery energy storage, and associated electrical upgrades to meet utility interconnection requirements. Based on this scope, the project should qualify for a Notice of Exemption (NOE) under CEQA (e.g., Class 3 – New Utility Extensions; Class 4 – Minor Alterations to Land; or Class 32 – Infill Development). Construction is expected to begin in 2028, following completion of final design, equipment procurement, and tribal approvals, and to be completed, including commissioning and site acceptance testing, by approximately October 2028. Active construction is anticipated to last approximately three months, consisting of approximately 30 working days for the medium-voltage distribution scope and approximately four weeks for installation of the battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated equipment, followed by approximately four weeks of commissioning. The project is expected to operate for a minimum of 10 years, with an expected operating life of approximately 20 years, beginning in late 2028. Total estimated ground disturbance for the microgrid equals approximately 9,000 square feet, of which approximately 8,250 square feet is underground trenching for approximately 5,500 linear feet of medium-voltage conduit; the remainder consists of concrete equipment pads, including approximately five transformer pads (approximately 6 feet by 6 feet each), one to two sectionalizing cabinet foundations (approximately 5 feet by 15 feet each), and pads for the BESS (approximately 29 feet by 5.5 feet), switchgear (approximately 10 feet by 6 feet), and control panel (approximately 5 feet by 5 feet). The entire microgrid system is to be located on previously disturbed and developed land comprising graded dirt and gravel, entirely on Tribal land. Sitework is expected to require access by approximately 5 to 10 light, medium, and heavy-duty construction vehicles each day for several weeks during active excavation for equipment pads and trenching, and deliveries of equipment and materials for the project. These vehicles will include personal vehicles for construction personnel as the bulk of the traffic, with soil haul trucks (approximately 30 total truckloads of soil import/export), concrete trucks, delivery vehicles, and similar being the remainder. Previously disturbed vacant land in the immediate vicinity will be designated for parking and staging of equipment and materials during construction activities; the site has ample staging and parking area. Major equipment delivery is anticipated to require approximately three to five truck deliveries, including one BESS enclosure approximately 29 feet in length that will be offloaded and set by crane in approximately one mobilization; no major equipment is anticipated on site following installation. During commissioning, staff will require approximately two vehicle trips per day, for approximately one month. Fewer than 20 construction workers will be on-site during active construction, consisting of approximately 9 workers for the medium-voltage distribution scope (an underground/concrete crew of 6 and 3 electricians) and approximately 4 to 6 workers for the BESS scope, with approximately 2 to 4 personnel on-site during commissioning and testing activities. No permanent operational staff are anticipated; the system will be remotely monitored, with periodic maintenance visits. No new security fencing is planned as part of the project; all equipment will be located within an existing secured area. Trenching for electrical conduits and conductors between the battery pad, equipment locations, and existing facilities will be required. Minor excavations of a few feet in depth or less will be required for installation of concrete pad-mounted equipment. Minor clearing, grubbing, and leveling will be required. With respect to hazardous equipment and materials, the BESS uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry and will be a UL 9540-listed system housed in an outdoor-rated enclosure with integrated fire detection and safety features consistent with NFPA 855; no bulk hazardous materials will be stored on site, and hazardous materials during construction are limited to fuels and lubricants typical of standard construction equipment. The microgrid equipment will be housed in outdoor-rated, pad-mounted enclosures, and no new occupied structures are planned for the project.