#United States #Minneapolis #EV Charging #OATI #Native Sun

A New Era of Energy Sovereignty: Native Sun and OATI Collaboration

In a groundbreaking initiative to enhance energy sovereignty among tribal nations in the Upper Midwest, Native Sun Community Power Development, Inc. and Open Access Technology International, Inc. (OATI) have joined forces. This strategic partnership aims to deploy smart electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure alongside clean energy technologies to support sustainable energy practices within tribal communities.

A Vision for Clean Energy

Native Sun has been a pioneer in advocating for energy self-sufficiency and sustainability, particularly within indigenous communities. As part of its Electric Nation program, the organization has been working diligently to ensure reliable access to power, which is crucial for not only energy independence but also for addressing health crises that disrupt these communities. To reach these goals, Native Sun has partnered with OATI, leveraging their advanced EVolution™ smart EV charging solution.

Deployment of Smart EV Charging Infrastructure

The partnership will facilitate the deployment of a robust EV charging network across various tribal nations, with OATI providing all necessary infrastructure, smart charging software, and customer support. The EV charging stations will be owned by the tribal nations, ensuring long-term benefits and complete ownership. This initiative creates a pathway for tribal nations to achieve a sustainable transportation infrastructure while also laying the groundwork for future projects involving microgrids and distributed energy.

Robert Blake, the executive director of Native Sun, highlighted the significance of this project: "We at Native Sun are fighting a human health crisis on tribal lands, and we believe renewable energy and electrification can help cure this problem. Technology and Native determination is what enables us to do this."

Comprehensive Support and Operations

The EVolution™ Smart EV Charge Station Solution offers various features to enhance the user experience:

• - Smart EV charging stations with multiple configurations and power capacities.
• - A secure, cloud-hosted network management system (NMS) tailored for mission-critical energy applications.
• - A mobile app designed for EV drivers, making charging as seamless as possible.
• - Comprehensive support services to ensure reliable operations and a high standard of customer service.

Through the NMS, tribal governments will benefit from industry-grade security and data sovereignty, enabling them to manage their energy resources more effectively.

Beyond Charging: The Future of Community Resilience

The potential of this partnership extends far beyond just installing chargers. OATI can assist tribal communities in designing microgrid projects that enhance community resilience while creating new revenue streams. By integrating these technologies, communities can buffer against unreliable electricity services and mitigate demanding charges impacting utility costs associated with EV chargers and other electrical needs.

As Sasan Mokhtari, President and CEO of OATI, stated, "Tribal nations continue to drive the energy transition by investing in the electrification, reliability, and resilience tools critical to supporting their communities and expanding economic opportunities."

Looking Ahead

The collaboration between Native Sun and OATI is a significant step towards advancing energy sovereignty, climate resilience, and economic justice for tribal and rural communities. With ambitious plans to deploy renewable energy, EV infrastructure, and workforce development initiatives across a five-state region in the Upper Midwest, the organizations are poised to make substantial impacts in various tribal nations throughout North America.

Through this partnership, they aim not only to enhance tribal sovereignty but also to position themselves as leaders in the clean transportation and energy sectors. As they move forward, their commitment to fostering community empowerment through innovative solutions remains steadfast and promising.