DECD0000063
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
Iowa State University Electric Power Research Center, on behalf of Montezuma Municipal Light and Power (MMLP),
proposes to build one of the first utility-scale microgrids in Iowa.
MMLP is a community-owned utility and is a division of the City of Montezuma in southern Iowa.
The utility currently buys electricity from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market, remains dependent upon fossil fuels, is subject to market vulnerability, and has an aging infrastructure.
This project will construct a 2.5 MW solar PV array with 1.5 MWh BESS and install advanced metering and EV chargers.
proposes to build one of the first utility-scale microgrids in Iowa.
MMLP is a community-owned utility and is a division of the City of Montezuma in southern Iowa.
The utility currently buys electricity from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market, remains dependent upon fossil fuels, is subject to market vulnerability, and has an aging infrastructure.
This project will construct a 2.5 MW solar PV array with 1.5 MWh BESS and install advanced metering and EV chargers.
Funding Goals
PROGRAM OVERVIEW: THE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS IN RURAL OR REMOTE AREAS (ERA) PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER RESOURCES TO ADVANCE CLEAN ENERGY
DEMONSTRATIONS AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS IN RURAL AND REMOTE AREAS THAT CAN BE REPLICATED AND SCALED. THE GOALS
OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO:
1. DELIVER MEASURABLE BENEFITS TO ENERGY CUSTOMERS IN RURAL OR REMOTE AREAS BY FUNDING REPLICABLE ENERGY PROJECTS THAT LOWER ENERGY COSTS, IMPROVE ENERGY ACCESS AND
RESILIENCE, AND/OR REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL HARM.
2. DEMONSTRATE NEW RURAL OR REMOTE ENERGY SYSTEM MODELS USING CLIMATE-RESILIENT TECHNOLOGIES, BUSINESS STRUCTURES THAT PROMOTE ECONOMIC RESILIENCE, NEW FINANCING
MECHANISMS, AND/OR NEW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES.
3. BUILD CLEAN ENERGY KNOWLEDGE, CAPACITY, AND SELF-RELIANCE IN RURAL AMERICA.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Ames,
Iowa
50011-1046
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Iowa State University Of Science And Technology was awarded
Utility-Scale Microgrid Project Montezuma Municipal Light Power
Cooperative Agreement DECD0000063
worth $9,484,385
from the Department of Energy in December 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Ames Iowa United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years and
was awarded through assistance program 81.255 Clean Energy Demonstrations.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 6/10/25
Period of Performance
12/1/24
Start Date
11/30/28
End Date
Funding Split
$9.5M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$9.5M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to DECD0000063
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
DECD0000063
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
892436 OFFICE OF CLEAN ENERGY DEMONSTRATIONS (OCED)
Funding Office
892410 OFFICE OF CLEAN ENERGY DEMONSTRATION
Awardee UEI
DQDBM7FGJPC5
Awardee CAGE
5J949
Performance District
IA-04
Senators
Charles Grassley
Joni Ernst
Joni Ernst
Modified: 6/10/25