EPRI
Indra Bhattacharya is R&D Program Manager at Tri-State Generation & Transmission. Kaela Mainsah is Senior Manager of Environmental Justice at the New York Power Authority. Jill Eide is Commercial, Industrial, & Agricultural Strategist at Great River Energy.
EPRI's Electrification 2021 Virtual Forum Series began with Building to Zero, which addressed decarbonization, affordability, and productivity with ambitious, equitable, and community-centered solutions.
The question is asked, when technology can deliver locally gown and harvested produce all year long, what can this accomplish in your community? This panel discussed and answered how indoor agriculture can support the underserved in communities. Listen in on these highlights.
R&D Program Manager, Tri-State Generation & Transmission, Indra Bhattacharya: We have two Indoor Food Production, IFP, projects ongoing with EPRI as of now. The primary motivation for these projects was educational and economic development. Two sites, one in New Mexico, and Colorado were chosen for the IFP projects for Tri-State.
At both of these sites, we have coal-fired units. One of them in New Mexico has been shut down this year. The other plant in Craig, Colorado has three units. It has been decided that all three units will be shut down by the end of 2030.
The motivation for the IFP project was, what can we do for economic development opportunities in these communities? We received strong leadership support to try to find out the right project that will fit. EPRI's IFP project fit the bill.