Redmond and Bellevue completed a joint Grid Capacity Study with AECOM and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) in May 2026 to assess whether the local electric grid can support aggressive growth and electrification targets through 2050. The June 23, 2026 Redmond Council study session is being used to brief elected officials on key findings, including identification of substations in Redmond (Avondale, Redmond, Spiritbrook) that are likely to face capacity constraints by 2035, and recommendations around grid upgrades, demand-side management, DER deployment, and improved city–utility coordination. The study was funded by a $75,000 Climate Planning Grant and is explicitly framed as a foundation for “next steps” as the City partners with PSE on a resilient, reliable, and clean grid. Near-term recommendations include more granular substation/feeder power-flow studies, demand response and DER expansion, managed EV charging and building electrification programs, and streamlined permitting for grid projects—all of which will require additional technical consulting, modeling, community engagement, software tools, and potentially design work that is not yet procured. Vendors that support grid planning, DER/EV strategy, permitting/process improvement, analytics, and community communications can position themselves as implementation partners as Redmond moves from planning into execution with PSE.

Study funded through a Climate Planning Grant under the Environmental Sustainability budget offer. K...