Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced last week that five Washington utilities will receive $12.6 million in grants through the state's Clean Energy Fund. These funds will support a number of projects to demonstrate new applications of clean energy.

• Avista of Spokane will pilot a "shared energy economy" model in which energy assets are shared for multiple purposes, including system efficiency and grid resiliency.

• Seattle City Light will create a solar microgrid at a designated emergency shelter. During an emergency, this grid will keep fire stations, community centers, and community networks operating.

• Orcas Power & Light will deploy a community solar system to extend the life of the island's underwater electricity supply cable.

• Snohomish Public Utility District will build a "vehicle-to-grid" system to demonstrate how battery storage, microgrid, and solar technologies can work together to improve grid resiliency, disaster recovery, and renewable energy integration. Through this project, the district will also connect the integrated technology to its electric vehicle fleet.

• Energy Northwest will create a battery and solar competency training facility in the Tri-Cities with labor leaders at IBEW Local 77, Quanta Services/Potelco, and the UW Clean Energy Institute to prepare workers for clean energy jobs of the future.

The Clean Energy Fund strengthen's Washington's position at the forefront of a clean, low-carbon energy future. Through the fund, the state invests in technologies that save energy, cut costs, reduce emissions, and create jobs. The utilities and their partners will match the state funding at a minimum ratio of 1:1.