Santa Fe, NM – The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD) Energy Conservation and Management Division (ECMD) announces the publication of the New Mexico Grid Modernization Roadmap. Pursuant to the Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap Act of 2020, EMNRD was tasked with developing a roadmap for grid modernization that details priorities and strategies to modernize New Mexico’s electric grid.
“The New Mexico Grid Modernization Roadmap lays the groundwork for a modern electric grid to prepare New Mexico for the transition to 100 percent zero-carbon electricity resources,” said EMNRD Cabinet Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst.
The Roadmap was developed with the assistance of the Grid Modernization Advisory Group (GMAG). The members of the GMAG included over 40 electricity sector representatives, scientists working at National Labs, academics, renewable energy experts, and environmental and consumer advocates. The GMAG members hold expertise in grid technologies, electricity business models and finance, and energy policy. The foundation of the Roadmap is based on the group’s recommendations, as summarized in eleven GMAG-authored whitepapers available on EMNRD’s website. These recommendations constitute a comprehensive list of potential actions to modernize New Mexico’s electric grid.
The Roadmap complements the Grid Modernization Grant Program, which is set up to support local demonstration projects that will advance our understanding of grid modernization technologies and customer behavior. The first grant was awarded to the City of Albuquerque in the fall and provides real-time information on energy use and storage. ECMD looks forward to continuing conversations with communities about prospective projects. Community organizations interested in requesting an informative Grant Program presentation can send requests to energy.gridmodernization@state.nm.us.
ECMD continues to review and approve proposals under the existing request for applications. All approved projects will be placed in a queue pending future funding availability.