ARLINGTON – Snohomish County PUD is hosting an open house for a planned Microgrid and Clean Energy Technology Center east of the Arlington Airport on 59th Avenue NE.

The open house will be 5-7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the airport office, 18204 59th Drive NE, Suite A.

A microgrid is a group of interconnected components and energy resources that can be connected to the grid or operate independently, PUD spokesman Neil Neroutsos said. “It’s a system that can remain powered in the event of a large scale power outage and assist with disaster recovery,” he said.

The project will help the PUD and researchers assess multiple energy technologies, including energy storage paired with a solar energy system. It will also show how PUD electric fleet vehicles can be used to benefit the electric grid via a vehicle-to-grid integration system that allows both charging and discharging.

The project is supported by a $3.5 million Washington Clean Energy Fund grant.

In addition, the PUD is planning a Community Solar program at the site. Community Solar programs make it easier for all customers to benefit from solar energy by leasing or purchasing shares at a community site without needing a sunny roof or funding for their own solar panels, Neroutsos said.