One program component under evaluation is a center of excellence that can serve as a repository for information, resources, and best practices, under the working title of the Energy Sovereignty Institute. According to one NGO working in the field, “Energy sovereignty is the right of conscious individuals, communities and peoples to make their own decisions on energy generation, distribution and consumption in a way that is appropriate within their ecological, social, economic and cultural circumstances, provided that these do not affect others negatively.” These concepts resonate particularly strongly with many indigenous cultures, and can complement existing efforts in renewable energy and energy efficient housing on many reservations.
In addition to the goal of increased energy sovereignty, a significant portion of the American Indian population is without any grid connection or alternative source of electricity. For example, on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Oglala Lakota, over 40 percent of residents live without access to electricity. On Native American Reservations across the U.S., the Energy revia Information Administration has estimated that 14 percent of households have no access to electricity, 10 times higher than the national average (an updated report is in process, and progress has been made in the interim, but large unelectrified populations remain). For those communities with a grid connection, their rural location is often at the end of a single distribution line, resulting in sub-par reliability and resilience issues. Microgrids could provide a cost-effective solution to many aspects of these challenges.
Two tribal microgrid case studies were reviewed: the Blue Lake Rancheria project, and the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation project, both in California. The discussion also included a recent Notice of Intent released by the U.S. Department of Energy for a Funding Opportunity Announcement for “Energy Infrastructure Deployment on Tribal Lands” (in which one topic area addresses microgrids), and several potential NM projects that might apply; as well as the recently-completed DOE-funded solar PV array at Picuris Pueblo.