Microgrids
Microgrid Solutions by Colusa Indian Energy
Colusa's home microgrid has been in operation for two decades and has gone over 12 years without a single power interruption, making it a global leader in utility uptime. Collectively, our team has over 2.5GW of power installed in over 100 countries.
Colusa Indian Energy provides the highest level of turn-key subject matter expertise for your microgrid project's needs, including engineering, procurement, construction, operation, management, and training.
Engineering
Our cogeneration power plants can run on natural gas, hydrogen, biogas, or propane. CHP plants are perfect for casinos, hospitals, or any buildings with large heating and cooling loads.
Construction
Colusa's construction team has decades of experience building and expanding microgrids and utility scale power plants around the world.
Procurement
With global teaming agreements in place with Caterpillar, Jenbacher, and others, our equipment lead times and pricing are the best in the industry.
O&M
We have decades of experience operating and maintaining our home microgrid. All of our templates for success are delivered to the Tribe's we work with.
What is a Microgrid
A microgrid is a localized energy system that can operate independently or alongside the main power grid. Using a combination of distributed energy resources, storage, and smart controls, microgrids ensure reliable power—even in remote or underserved regions.
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Power generation (solar, natural gas, hydrogen, geothermal, diesel, biomass, etc.)
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Battery energy storage
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Smart controls and automation
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Distribution infrastructure
Microgrids can be grid-connected, islanded (off-grid), or capable of both through automatic switching during outages or emergencies.
Resilient. Independent.
Smart Energy Systems.
We design, build, and operate custom microgrids that integrate solar, storage, generation, and smart controls into fully autonomous energy systems. Our solutions are engineered for maximum uptime, energy security, and long-term cost savings—serving critical infrastructure, commercial campuses, rural communities, and beyond. As a Tribally owned company with national reach, we bring speed, reliability, and proven execution to every project.
Why CIE Microgrids?
Tribal-Led: 100% Native-owned and operated. We build with communities, not just for them.
This is the space to introduce the Product section and showcase the types of products available.
Custom-Engineered: Every system is tailored—from school districts to health clinics to full-reservation grids.
This is the space to introduce the Product section and showcase the types of products available.
Combined Heat & Power Plants (Cogen)
Our cogeneration power plants can run on natural gas, hydrogen, biogas, or propane. CHP plants are perfect for casinos, hospitals, or any buildings with large heating and cooling loads.
Battery Energy
Storage Systems
Battery systems can be used to store power for release at night or anytime your primary power producers are offline.
Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems
UPS systems eliminate outages for your reservation. Colusa's home microgrid has gone over 12 years without failure, due in large part to our state of the art central UPS.
Underground
Distribution Systems
When the wind blows or fires rage, overhead power lines are vulnerable to failure. All of our systems include all new underground distribution systems, installed with extreme care near culturally sensitive sites.
Central
Chiller Plants
Central chiller systems provide your resort, clinic, school, cannabis operation, etc. with ultra efficient and reliable climate control.
HVAC
Energy efficiency in your HVAC systems is critical to maximizing the benefit of a new energy project on your reservation. Energy audits and HVAC upgrades complete our service package.
Why Colusa Indian Energy?
Tribally-Owned,
Industry-Proven
Our foundation in Tribal values drives a long-term, stewardship-focused approach to energy development—grounded in trust, accountability, and community impact.
Technology-Neutral & Customer-Focused
We don’t push one-size-fits-all solutions. We build what works best for you.
Proven Experience
From small systems to complex multi-technology microgrids, our team brings deep expertise across engineering, energy policy, and project development.
Commitment to Resilience & Sustainability
We design systems that protect people and the planet—today and for generations to come.
Combined Heat & Power Plants (Cogen)
Our cogeneration power plants can run on natural gas, hydrogen, biogas, or propane. CHP plants are perfect for casinos, hospitals, or any buildings with large heating and cooling loads.
Battery Energy
Storage Systems
Battery systems can be used to store power for release at night or anytime your primary power producers are offline.
Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems
UPS systems eliminate outages for your reservation. Colusa's home microgrid has gone over 12 years without failure, due in large part to our state of the art central UPS.
Underground
Distribution Systems
When the wind blows or fires rage, overhead power lines are vulnerable to failure. All of our systems include all new underground distribution systems, installed with extreme care near culturally sensitive sites.
Central
Chiller Plants
Central chiller systems provide your resort, clinic, school, cannabis operation, etc. with ultra efficient and reliable climate control.
HVAC
Energy efficiency in your HVAC systems is critical to maximizing the benefit of a new energy project on your reservation. Energy audits and HVAC upgrades complete our service package.
Technologies We Use in Our Microgrids
CIE builds customized microgrids using a flexible mix of technologies tailored to your location, goals, and energy needs:
Solar Power
Clean, renewable, and low-maintenance. Ideal for daytime load coverage and cost reduction.
Geothermal Energy
A reliable, always-on renewable resource for baseload power where conditions allow.
Diesel Backup Generators
Reliable backup generation, especially important for critical infrastructure in rural or remote areas.
Biomass & Waste-to-Energy
Turn organic or agricultural waste into usable power, creating a circular, sustainable energy model.
Natural Gas, Hydrogen, & Dual-Fuel Generators
Flexible, stable power generation for baseload and backup, with lower emissions than coal or diesel.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Store energy from solar or the grid to use during peak demand, outages, or when costs are highest.
What We Deliver
Feasibility & Planning
Site assessments, load studies, and energy modeling ensure your project is built on solid ground.
Technology Integration
We combine multiple technologies into a seamless system:
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Solar PV (rooftop or ground-mount)
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Battery storage systems (Lithium-ion, Iron-Air)
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Cogeneration (natural gas + solar hybrid)
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Diesel backup or fuel cell integration
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Smart inverters & advanced microgrid controllers
Construction & Commissioning
From permitting to final commissioning—we handle it all. Our in-house team and certified partners ensure high-performance systems that meet local and federal codes.
Ongoing Operations & Support
Monitoring, reporting, and long-term system support are available through our service packages, backed by our Tribal-run operations team.
Microgrid Applications
CIE’s microgrids are custom-built for:
Tribal Lands & Communities
Energy sovereignty, cost savings, and economic empowerment.
Government & Military Facilities
Mission-critical resilience with renewable integration.
Hospitals & Critical Infrastructure
Reliable power for life-saving operations.
Rural and Remote Areas
Bring power where the grid can’t reach.
Commercial & Industrial Clients
Peak shaving, energy security, and sustainability.
At Colusa Indian Energy, we believe that building a clean energy system is only the beginning. The true value lies in how it’s operated, maintained, and optimized over time. Our Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Division ensures our customers’ energy assets deliver the performance, reliability, and financial returns they invested in—year after year.
SUCCESS STORY
Colusa Indian Rancheria Microgrid Expansion
Through solar, battery storage, and backup generation, CIE helped power over 25% more Tribal homes—reducing outages, lowering costs, and increasing energy sovereignty. This model is now being deployed across California and the Southwest.
Resilient Power for Tribal Communities and Beyond
Colusa Indian Energy (CIE) designs and delivers fully integrated microgrids that power resorts, homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure across Indian Country. Our microgrids are built for resilience, energy independence, and long-term sustainability—with every project tailored to the unique needs of each Tribe or partner.
Ready to Build Energy Independence?
Whether you're looking to bring reliable power to your community, protect critical operations, or invest in a cleaner energy future, Colusa Indian Energy is your trusted microgrid development partner.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how our microgrid solutions can power your future—with resilience, sustainability, and control.