Copyright 2024 | Virgin Islands Energy Office
Virgin Islands Energy Office
Program Overview
The CEI program funds resilient microgrids to strengthen the U.S. Virgin Islands’ power grid.
Building resilient new electrical distribution systems and hardening those elements of the grid that cannot be prudently replaced has been a hallmark of the territory’s restoration efforts following the devastation wrought on the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017 when two Category 5 hurricanes swept through the islands. VIEO, as a subgrantee of the Virgin Island Housing Finance Authority’s (VIHFA) Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), is proud to be able to build on these efforts as it works to administer the CEI program. CEI is a grant opportunity that will provide grants to build small to large scale microgrids. Microgrids are solar and battery systems that are tied into and provide support to a larger municipal energy distribution grid, but can also act independently of it to provide power solely for the microgrid site.
The Community Electrical Innovation Program
What to Know
Helping Virgin Islanders to take control of their utility bills by empowering them with the resources they need to invest in proven energy efficient appliances is EERE’s main aim. This first-come-first-serve program is open to all Virgin Islanders who’ve purchased ENERGY STAR certified products from a VIEO approved vendor.
USVI Electrical Power System
The United States Virgin Islands CDBG-DR Electrical Power System Enhancements and Improvements Action Plan focuses on strengthening and modernizing the territory’s electrical infrastructure. The plan aims to enhance system reliability, improve energy efficiency, and promote long-term resilience. These efforts will help ensure a more stable and sustainable power supply for communities across the Virgin Islands.
The Community Electrical Innovation Program
Checking Your Eligibility
During the grant application process, preference will be given to community-based organizations who can demonstrate that through their award electrical resiliency would be improved for the most vulnerable communities, such as, housing authority properties, health care facilities, and long-term care housing. The solar microgrids must utilize battery storage technology capable of integrating into a virtual power plant (VPP). VPPs are not brick and mortar power plants, rather, they consist of widely distributed assets like residential rooftop solar arrays and battery energy storage solutions (BESS), electric vehicle charging infrastructure, smart thermostats, and other systems that can remotely coordinate with a central command center that actively works to balance demand for energy against supply. By ensuring that the solar and battery microgrids installed under CEI are VPP compatible, VIEO will demonstrate how this technology can work at grid level to lower utility rates and increase service reliability.
• May 1-30: Finalize App Design, Eligibility weighting
• June 15: Applications Open
• July 30: Applications Close
• August 1-August 21: Project Selection
• August 21-Dec 31: Project Scoping
• Jan 1 – Apr 30: Environmental Review
• Apr 1 – July 1: Project Bid (rolling bids or all in one?)
• June 1 – Dec 30: Project Implementation
• June 15: Applications Open
• July 30: Applications Close
• August 1-August 21: Project Selection
• August 21-Dec 31: Project Scoping
• Jan 1 – Apr 30: Environmental Review
• Apr 1 – July 1: Project Bid (rolling bids or all in one?)
• June 1 – Dec 30: Project Implementation
Quick Contact
Please let us know if you have any questions our team will be happy to assist.
St. Thomas Office
# 8000 Nisky Center 2nd Floor Ste 208
Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802
Phone: (340) 714-VIEO (8436)
Fax: (340) 776-1914
St. Croix Office
#2 Estate Carlton | Suite 3
Frederiksted, USVI 00840
Phone: (340) 713-VIEO (8436)
Fax: (340) 772-0063