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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
East Hartford, CT, United States, 07/24/2009 - A plan developed by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) to improve energy reliability in southwest Connecticut through the use of distributed generation has received approval for $10.8 million in capital grants.
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The capital grants are for projects analyzed in the Regional Energy Reliability Plan for Mission Critical Facilities in Southwestern Connecticut (Reliability Plan), which CCAT developed under a contract for the Department of Energy.
CCAT, acting on behalf of the municipalities and organizations that participated in the development of the Reliability Plan, applied to The Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) for the capital grants last year. DPUC approved that request on June 24, 2009.
The capital grants will be used to develop customer-side distributed generation at 30 mission-critical facilities in Fairfield County – primarily in schools and other public buildings. When completed, the distributed generation projects would be able to generate a combined 24 MW of electricity, enough to power more than 20,000 homes.
The distributed generation projects would operate during emergencies and peak energy periods to help stabilize the energy grid and reduce prices in the region.
“CCAT embarked on this project with the ultimate goal of finding new ways to increase the reliability of mission critical facilities and the energy grid in Connecticut,” said Elliot A. Ginsberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of CCAT.
“We are pleased that the state has approved these capital grants to assist in making this goal a reality.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity for communities to ensure the safety of their citizens by investing in a secure, reliable power supply. These grants will also help reduce energy costs in southwestern Connecticut by providing a more diverse energy grid at critical times,” said Governor M. Jodi Rell. The Reliability Plan calls for future deployment of hybrid energy projects that also include renewable technologies like solar or fuel cells at the facilities. CCAT can assist municipalities and organizations in requesting grants from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund for additional renewable energy projects.
"This project has high public value and is consistent with state and federal policy objectives,” said Joel M. Rinebold, Director of Energy Programs at CCAT. “The participants of this project, including the project municipalities, the American Red Cross, the U.S. Department of Energy and other project partners, have created a reproducible model for reducing energy costs, improving energy reliability, and increasing energy security. We are very pleased to be part of this effort that has the potential to be expanded to other areas in Connecticut as well as to areas in other states.”
About CCAT
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (ccat.us) is a non-stock, tax exempt corporation that provides services and resources to entrepreneurs and businesses, and through collaboration with industry, academia, and government, helps companies innovate and compete, thereby strengthening our nation in the global market.
The recipients by town are:
• Bridgeport: American Red Cross;
• Darien: American Red Cross; Darien Police Department; Darien Town Hall; WPCF, Noroton Fire Department;
• Fairfield: Dwight School; Ludlowe High School; Fairfield Office of Emergency Mgmt. Fairfield Town Garage;
• New Canaan: American Red Cross; New Canaan Senior High School; Saxe Middle School;
• Norwalk: Norwalk Fire Dept. Station 4; Ponus Ridge Middle School;
• Stamford: American Red Cross;
• Stratford: Bunnell High School; Stratford Fire Dept. (Cos. 2, 3, and 4); Stratford Police Dept.; Stratford Town Hall/Office of Civil Preparedness;
• Weston: Weston Town Hall/ Police Dept.; Weston Middle School;
• Westport: Westport EMS/Police Dept. 2; Long Lots Elementary School; Westport Public Works Garage;
• Wilton: Miller School; Wilton Town Hall/Office of Civil Preparedness; Wilton High School.
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ehargreaves[.]ccat.us 
