Jones-Onslow EMC Selected for GRIP Program to Strengthen Grid Resilience
The Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation (JOEMC) is proud to announce its selection for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This marks a significant step in ensuring our electric grid’s continued reliability and resilience, particularly amid increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
Transmission Hardening to Protect Against Extreme Weather Events and Support Economic Growth
Through this project, JOEMC will modernize its transmission infrastructure to enhance efficiency, reliability, and resilience. Key improvements include constructing a new step-down station, installing new transmission lines, strengthening the structure, and integrating advanced sectionalizing devices with remote capabilities. These enhancements will bolster the grid’s ability to recover from severe weather events, reduce downtime, and ensure critical redundancy for more than 23,000 customers.
Anticipated Outcomes and Benefits
• Reliability and Economic Impact: JOEMC aims to reduce power outage downtime by at least 25% from the 2018 baseline, improving resilience during storms like Hurricane Florence. With access to an additional transmission source, restoration times are expected to decrease significantly, offering cost savings and minimizing disruption to businesses and households.
• Job Creation and Workforce Development: The project will also create local jobs and foster partnerships with community colleges to establish energy sector training programs, contributing to the region’s long-term economic growth.
• Supporting Distributed Energy Resources: To reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, North Carolina aims to increase capacity for distributed energy resources such as solar power, helping to integrate more renewable energy into the grid.
This critical infrastructure investment demonstrates JOEMC’s commitment to improving grid resilience and supporting the region’s economic development and sustainability efforts.
