Resources

The Powered & Prepared Initiative seeks proposals from nonprofit and municipal organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania for backup power solutions that allow those organizations to offer essential services during emergencies without disruption. Henry L. Hillman Foundation has compiled a variety of resources pertaining to backup power generation and emergency planning for participants to utilize as they prepare their applications, as well as for the wider community to leverage as southwestern Pennsylvania improves its power resilience.

Backup Power – What are your options?

The list below contains backup power technologies that organizations could consider. This is not an exhaustive list, and organizations are encouraged to do their own research and talk with technical experts to decide which solution might be right for them.

Solar Panels + Battery Storage

Solar panels generate electricity during the day, and batteries store it for use when the sun isn't shining or the grid goes down. This solution can also lower long-term energy costs for the building. Learn more about solar from PA Solar Center.

Solar Microgrid

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) defines a microgrid as “a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes.”

Organizations may have participated in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) solar microgrid feasibility study. To learn more about microgrid technology or the feasibility studies, access DEP’s report: Safeguarding Pennsylvania: Microgrid Study Final Report.

Standby Generators or Fixed Generators

A standby generator is a permanently installed generator that provides power by being hard-wired into the facility’s main distribution panel and can be started manually or automatically in the event of a power outage. During a power failure, an automatic transfer switch isolates the electrical wiring from the utility grid and signals the generator to start functioning. The generator begins to feed power to the lines. When power is restored, a reverse action takes place, wherein incoming feed is once again procured from utility lines and the generator ceases to function and goes into a standby mode (FEMA’s Generator Technical Review).

Portable Generators

Both portable fossil fuel and solar generators are available on the market. These often work with stand-alone applications and are meant to temporarily energize a few critical applications. These are usually functional for a brief period (FEMA’s Generator Technical Review).

More information about technology options with more detailed descriptions can be found on Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Assurance and Resiliency webpage.

Considerations when evaluating technology options

• How long does the organization need to stay powered during an outage — hours, days, or weeks?
• What is the critical load — the whole building, or just specific systems (lights, heat, communications, refrigeration)?
• Does the organization have space for solar panels, a generator, or fuel storage?
• Is it more important to minimize short-term (installation) costs or long-term costs (energy spending over several years)?
• Are there other considerations specific to your facility (e.g., tree cover, proximity to neighboring building/residents and effect of possible emissions)?
• How to Choose a Generator - American Red Cross guide to selecting and safely using a generator during a power outage

Nonprofit Technical Assistance Providers

PA Solar Center - If you’re considering solar + battery storage, PA Solar Center has free or low-cost consulting services and will help to assess your solar and/or storage capabilities as well as the financial scope of a possible project. They can also assist with bidding processes to select a qualified developer. To request assistance with their G.E.T Solar program, complete a short request form.

Community Project Hub (formerly SWPA Municipal Hub) – If you’re a municipality, you may be able to engage the Hub for technical assistance. Review their services for more information.

Emergency Planning Resources

Many organizations may not have a plan in place should a power outage or other disaster occur. If your organization is in this category, here are a few resources to consider as you develop an emergency plan, which is required for the application. Please note that the emergency plan section of the application has a 250-word limit, so responses should be high level.

Here are a few resources as you consider what to include in your plan as well as if you are interested in learning more about emergency preparedness and service continuity planning:

Emergency Preparedness for Individuals/Families:

• How to Prepare for Emergencies – American Red Cross guide available in several languages
• Build a Kit – Emergency preparedness checklist from Ready.gov, an official U.S. Department of Homeland Security resource
• Be Prepared for a Power Outage – FEMA fact sheet on what to do before, during, and after a power outage

Emergency Preparedness for Organizations:

• FEMA’s Ready Business Power Outage Toolkit – Helps businesses (and organizations) identify risk, develop a plan for staff, space, systems, and service, and take action.
• FEMA’s Continuity Resources – the Continuity Assessment Tool is a downloadable spreadsheet that raises several questions to think about when developing a continuity of operations plan
• FEMA’s Continuity Guidance Circular – Provides a detailed overview and planning guide for identifying, planning for, and responding to a range of threats, both natural and man-made. Some of this information is more appropriate to state governments and/or large corporations, but much can apply to nonprofit organizations and local governments.
• Business Continuity Planning for Nonprofits – Planning guide covering multiple emergency scenarios beyond power loss.  
• Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning for Local Government – Continuity planning elements for small and local governments
• Self-guided FEMA Emergency Management Institute course on emergency planning – five-hour, self-guided online module for those interested in learning more about the fundamentals of emergency planning and emergency management

Best practices and safety guidelines for using backup power generation:

• Safer Integration of Energy Storage and Solar PV Systems - National Fire Protection Association webinar
• Generator Safety Tip Sheet - National Fire Protection Association
• How to Safely Operate a Backup Generator – Information from FirstEnergy

There are a range of state and federal funding opportunities available for emergency planning and backup power generation. As these programs have their own requirements and funding cycles, please go directly to PEMA and FEMA for the latest updates.