Bainbridge Island Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project: Bainbridge Island, Washington Cohort 2 Technical Assistance: Improving Resilience

Summary

The City of Bainbridge Island aims for 100% renewable electricity by 2040 and enhanced energy resilience against climate change hazards. This October 2024 technical assistance report from the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) analyzes hazards and threats to 33 critical energy infrastructure locations, including substations, disaster hubs, and wastewater plants. The analysis identified high risks from severe storms, tsunamis, earthquakes, and sea-level rise (projected 1 foot by 2060). Key recommendations include a wildfire risk assessment for Virginia Mason Medical Center, sea-level rise planning for the Winslow Wastewater Treatment Plant (which consumes ~920,000 kWh/year and treats 150 million gallons annually), and a detailed earthquake vulnerability assessment for high-risk buildings. Preliminary analysis suggests solar PV and battery storage solutions, such as a 350 kW solar and 96 kW/5,455 kWh BESS for the medical center, to improve resilience during outages. PSE is also planning significant grid upgrades, including new transmission lines by 2028 and a second transformer at Murden Cove substation, to support reliability and increasing loads, including the 22,664,000 kWh/year for ferry electrification starting in 2026.

Key Facts

Source Document

https://example-government.gov/policy-document-link