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Ripley receives Municipal League award for Innovation in Energy and Disaster Resiliency

Ripley
Officials with the city of Ripley have partnered with TVA, the National Institute for Hometown Security, and local provider Ripley Power and Light to make the community more resilient against increased severe weather and promote innovative energy solutions. The city secured a pilot-scale, state-of-the-art microgrid for the community as part of a highly competitive, collaborative Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Connected Communities Program.

With preparation for and recovery from extreme weather events becoming a priority for communities of all sizes, the city of Ripley has become an example of how small cities can find innovative solutions for energy and resiliency needs.

In recognition of the focused efforts the city of Ripley has undertaken to proactively plan for disaster resiliency and recovery, the Tennessee Municipal League is pleased to present Ripley with an Innovation award for Energy and Disaster Resiliency. 

The city of Ripley, led by the Ripley Board of Mayor and Alderman, secured a pilot-scale, state-of-the-art microgrid for the community as part of a highly competitive, collaborative Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Connected Communities Program. In addition to TVA, the city brought in partners including the Ripley Power and Light Company and National Institute for Hometown Security. 

The partnership allowed for the planning, construction, and demonstration of a portable, solar microgrid that will lower energy costs for city facilities and ensure a source of backup power during emergencies. TVA provided $621,000 for the project with a $267,000 cost share from partners.     

In addition to helping city facilities better withstand power disruptions during emergencies, the microgrid has become a showcase project for other communities to emulate. 

The city has also engaged in renewable energy outreach through the participation of Mayor Craig Fitzhugh in renewable energy and community preparedness panels as well as the upgrading of development regulations to allow for innovative resiliency and disaster preparedness solutions.

The city also recently completed an LED streetlight conversion project with the help of PATH Company, again modeling how other small cities in Tennessee can provide cost and energy saving solutions.

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