Eastport, Maine, a remote island city with a population of about 1,300, is taking significant steps towards becoming energy resilient. Located at the easternmost edge of the United States, the city often faces power outages during major storms due to its sole connection to the mainland being unreliable. In response, a community-driven initiative is developing solar and tidal power to feed a microgrid, allowing the city to detach from the main electrical grid during outages without relying on diesel generators.
Eastport was awarded an Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project grant in 2021, enabling the development of localized energy generation and storage solutions. This project is being spearheaded by the city’s energy committee, in collaboration with the Island Institute, a Maine-based nonprofit. As the work progresses, Eastport is being seen as a leader in energy independence for remote communities not only in Maine but beyond.
Their efforts have caught the attention of the Department of Energy, leading to additional funding and support. Other Maine coastal communities, including unbridged islands with year-round inhabitants, are also exploring similar projects to enhance their energy resilience.
The move towards distributed energy sources, such as microgrids and battery storage, is considered vital for global decarbonization and improving island resilience. Eastport’s unique position as a remote city makes it an ideal candidate for a microgrid, providing a reliable source of energy during outages. With solar arrays and batteries planned to go online, Eastport is on track to become a model for energy independence in remote communities facing similar challenges.
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