ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Willdan Group, Inc. ("Willdan") (NASDAQ:WLDN) announced today the award of eight community microgrid feasibility studies for the villages of Westfield, Bath, Arcade, Sleepy Hollow, Geneseo and Tarrytown, NY; and the cities of Plattsburgh and Rochester, NY.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced awards to 83 communities in July. Willdan submitted eight proposals and received awards on all eight.
A microgrid is a resilient electric power generation and distribution network that can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously to minimize or eliminate power outages. Microgrids are a key component of Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers (https://www.ny.gov/REV4NY).

"Willdan looks forward to leveraging our microgrid center of excellence to improve system reliability in New York State," said Tom Brisbin, CEO of Willdan. "As a company, we have invested significant resources to build our microgrid capability, including the addition to our board of leading microgrid expert Dr. Mohammad Shahidehpour, Director of the Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), and recruiting microgrid specialists into our ranks across the country."

Willdan's thought leaders also include Dr. Steven A. Cohen, Willdan board member and Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia University's Earth Institute. Staff experts are Schuyler Matteson, PhD, battery storage specialist and graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology; Mehdi Ganji, PhD, microgrid electrical expert and graduate of IIT; and Zachary Suttile, MPA, graduate of Columbia University's Environmental Science and Policy program.
The studies are supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of Governor Cuomo's NY Prize competition, an innovative $40 million competition designed to help communities across New York reduce costs, promote clean energy, and build reliability and resiliency into the electric grid.

"The Village of Westfield Electric Department is looking forward to our NY Prize Feasibility Study results to evaluate microgrid economics that will improve our system reliability and resiliency in the event of a bulk supply outage. We look forward to working with Willdan on the study and appreciate their support for our application," said Andrew Thompson, Director of Westfield's Department of Public Works.

"Bath Electric, Gas & Water Systems is appreciative of the NY Prize Feasibility Study award from NYSERDA, as we look to create and establish a sustainable and resilient microgrid within our electric system. The collaboration with Willdan on the application and now the feasibility study is helpful to our implementation plans and to create a model that can be duplicated in other communities," said Guy Hallgren, Director of Municipal Utilities in Bath.
Willdan will work with the local electric and gas distribution companies, municipal governments and stakeholders to ensure the sustained operation of mission-critical facilities such as police and fire stations, schools, and water treatment facilities. In addition to increasing power reliability, the microgrids will seek to increase safety, reduce energy costs, resolve existing system constraints, and reduce dependency on bulk power providers. The study will also analyze integrating key distributed energy resources such as power generators, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, and renewables into the microgrid.

"New York is a leader in sustainability and NY Prize is a cutting-edge initiative that will be a powerful tool in building grid resiliency across the state," said Frank Evans, Vice President of Willdan's Northeast Region. "We are privileged to work with NYSERDA, utilizing our microgrid technology expertise to develop tailored strategies for these communities."

About Willdan
Willdan provides professional consulting and technical services to utilities, public agencies and private industry throughout the United States. The Company's service offerings span a broad set of complementary disciplines that include energy efficiency and sustainability, engineering and planning, financial and economic consulting, and national preparedness. Willdan provides integrated technical solutions to extend the reach and resources of its clients, and provides all services through its subsidiaries specialized in each segment. For additional information, visit Willdan's website at www.willdan.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical, including statements regarding Willdan's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, estimates, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risk that Willdan will not be able to expand its services or meet the needs of customers in markets in which it operates. It is important to note that Willdan's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, a slowdown in the local and regional economies of the states where Willdan conducts business and the loss of or inability to hire additional qualified professionals. Willdan's business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in Willdan's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended January 2, 2015. Willdan cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Willdan disclaims any obligation to, and does not undertake to, update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.

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