​​​TEMP-10​

Work With SMUD to Improve Electric Grid Reliability

Measure Summary​

The County will partner with SMUD to identify potential future improvements to increase resiliency of the electric grid to climate hazards such as extreme heat events and wildfires. Working with SMUD, the County will implement identified projects to achieve the necessary resiliency. This measure is also closely linked to Measure GHG-03 (Support SMUD Zero Carbon Plan).

Act​ions

Action TEMP-10-a: More frequent extreme heat events will lead to higher power and electricity usage, especially during peak hours. The County will work with SMUD to improve the electric grid’s reliability so that the electricity needs of customers can be met at all times. Potential resiliency measures include but are not limited to:

  • microgrid-powered resiliency centers;
  • optimal co-location of solar PV, energy storage, and EV chargers to reduce costs and minimize strain on the grid;
  • educational campaigns to support reduced electricity usage during extreme heat; and
  • campaigns to encourage participation in SMUD’s load flexibility programs such as My Energy Optimizer, PowerDirect® Automated Demand Response and Virtual Power Plant.

Status: In progress.


Action TEMP-10-b: Work with SMUD to design or use existing grid resilience/reliability metrics (e.g., attribute-based and performance-based metrics), to track the progress made on grid reliability improvements. Status: Not started. 

​​Status of Im​​​ple​​m​entation

The County is currently working with SMUD across several initiatives that support SMUD’s Zero Carbon Plan. These include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among local Sacramento agencies for the purpose of coordinating building electrification projects, policies, and activities. Throught the MOU, the County is working with the cities of Sacramento and Elk Grove as well as SMUD to coordinate electrification efforts and support the development of reach codes. The County is also directly working with SMUD to explore community solar plus storage at County-owned facilities. The County also supports and partners with SMUD on grant applications by providing letters of support and recommendation for SMUD’s grid resiliency and sustainability initiatives.  

The Sacramento Office of Emergency Services (SacOES) works in close partnership with SMUD in coordinating during non-incident planning cycles as well as through coordination calls during activation of Phase II and III Extreme Weather events (Extreme Heat Annex) to ensure utility capacity during extreme heat events. Further we have partnered with SMUD to identify critical infrastructure prioritized for reenergization. Coordination and collaboration also take place during activations of the Emergency Operations Center. After action reports from these events are available on the OES website at https://sacoes.saccounty.gov/EmergencyManagement/Pages/Planning.aspx. 

 Updated 4/2/25.

​​​​​​​Started

Efforts for this measure have been​ s​tarted.