PGE Partnership in Milwaukie

Partnerships for a Brighter Future

Portland General Electric (PGE) and the City are working together to bring innovative energy technologies to the Milwaukie Community. Milwaukie is now one of three PGE test beds in the Portland Metro Area to implement new and exciting projects and programs.

"Given the recent UN report, the urgency of rolling out cutting-edge technology that aims for a carbon-free near-future is critical. Milwaukie looks forward to exploring how this technology not only moves us toward our goal of being a net zero city by 2040, but creates resiliency in the face of more and more violent storms. We are thrilled with the visionary attitude that our partner PGE has embraced.” — Mark Gamba, Mayor of Milwaukie.

Learn more about what PGE projects are coming to Milwaukie's neighborhoods and city facilities:

Green Future Impact

PGE is increasing the amount of clean, carbon-free electricity offered to the region. In 2019, PGE offered large customers, including cities, to participate in 'Green Future Impact', a large scale clean energy development project. By committing to a 15-year contract for 3848 megawatts of affordable, carbon-free energy, the City of Milwaukie will be powering it's facilities and street lights with net-zero emission electricity once the Green Future Impact solar development is online. This will reduce the city's contribution to climate change, and the success of Green Future Impact shows utilities the importance and desire for clean, carbon-free energy!

Learn more about Green Future Impact at: https://www.portlandgeneral.com/business/power-choices-pricing/renewable-power/green-future-impact

Smart Grid Test Bed

What happens when everyone wants power at the same time? How do we better manage energy disbursement to respond to community needs when they need it? Can we better integrate and coordinate businesses and households into the grid? PGE is seeking answers to these questions by bringing innovative household technologies and demand response programs to the Milwaukie community through a larger Smart Grid Test Bed project. 

PGE is testing three smart grids within its service area that will enable more than 20,000 customers to take advantage of special demand-response signals and incentives for using smart-home technologies, giving them greater energy efficiency opportunities and increased control over their energy use and carbon footprint.

PGE will make this a seamless experience for customers by helping them automate their smart devices, such as thermostats, water heaters, electric vehicle chargers and batteries, to work in concert with PGE as it operates the grid. During times when demand for electricity is especially high in the region, customers will be able to decide on an event-by-event basis if they want to participate in reducing their overall energy consumption. 

Along with increased renewable energy usage for low-carbon energy, PGE is working to create an efficient, resilient, and cleaner energy grid system in Milwaukie neighborhoods.

Have questions about Smart Grid Test Bed in Milwaukie? Interested in how your home or business can participate? Contact PGE at smartgridtestbed@pgn.com to learn more.

To learn more about Smart Grid Test Bed, visit: https://www.portlandgeneral.com/our-company/energy-strategy/smart-grid/smart-grid-test-bed

Adaptive Smart City Street Lights

Starting in February, PGE crews will convert more than 8,000 lights in Clackamas County to LEDs, known for not only their energy-saving capabilities but for the brighter, whiter light they emit. 

PGE will be piloting an adaptive control or smart lighting system into 116 downtown Milwaukie streetlights,  including the new Farmer’s Market Site.  These smart street lights will have adaptive control capabilities that can provide the City with significant additional energy savings as well as energy monitoring capabilities.  Smart Lighting makes use of adaptive controls such as dimmers, timers, and/or motion sensors to achieve additional energy savings that match the needs of the area and the streets below. In addition, PGE is working with the City to ensure the new streetlights have the same aesthetics as the original lights.

Through this effort, PGE and the City are bringing our downtown lighting to the future while celebrating the historical charm of the past. 

View a presentation to City Council on the new streetlights: 
https://www.milwaukieoregon.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/85401/ws_3_-_presentation_-_streetlights.pdf

For an Oregon Live article on PGE's streetlight program in Clackamas County, visit: 
https://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2013/01/energy-saving_street_lights_co.html

Electric Avenue 

PGE is ready to charge your electric vehicle!

Similar to their Downtown Portland electric vehicle charging stations, PGE built six charging stations in Milwaukie in April, 2019, offering public pay-to-charge opportunities to Milwaukie residents through both DC Fast chargers and level 2 chargers.

According to a statement by PGE, the Downtown Portland charging station has fueled more than 1.25 million vehicle miles since its creation in 2015, and has helped drivers avoid burning 515 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Electric vehicle adoption and promotion  aligns with Milwaukie's climate goals outlined in the Climate Action Plan, as it helps us reduce our use of fossil fuels for transportation. Electric vehicles and supportive charging infrastructure also provides more transportation options for residents and accommodations in the region that are cleaner and healthier for the environment and the Milwaukie community.

To learn more about the Electric Avenue project in Milwaukie, visit: https://www.portlandgeneral.com/residential/electric-vehicles-charging-stations/electric-avenue

For an Oregon Live article on PGE's Electric Avenue expansion, visit:
https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2018/12/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-coming-to-east-portland-milwaukie-hillsboro.html