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Electric utilities

California's First 100% Renewable Energy Microgrid Now Fully Operational

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport and US Coast Guard Air Station are now powered by a 100% renewable energy microgrid, the first of its kind in the state. Developed through a partnership between various organizations, the microgrid features a 2.2-megawatt solar array, a 2-MW battery energy storage system, and a microgrid control system that interfaces with PG&E's distribution control center. This project is a major milestone for clean energy and resilience efforts in the region, aiming to provide 100% carbon-free electricity by 2025 and 100% local carbon-free electricity by 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid (RCAM) is the first 100% renewable energy, front-of-the-meter, multi-customer microgrid in California, providing enhanced energy resilience for the airport and US Coast Guard Air Station.
  • The microgrid features a 2.2-megawatt solar photovoltaic array, a 2-MW (9 megawatt-hour) battery energy storage system, and a microgrid control system that interfaces with PG&E's distribution control center.
  • The Schatz Energy Research Center is the prime contractor and technology integrator, leading the design, testing, and deployment of the clean energy microgrid.
  • The microgrid is managed in collaboration between project partners, with PG&E owning, operating, and maintaining the microgrid circuit and controls.
  • The Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid is a model for resilient, clean energy, enabling greater utilization of solar, supporting grid reliability, and creating an economic model for future microgrids.
  • The microgrid represents a key innovation in PG&E's efforts to harden the electrical system and enhance local grid resilience throughout Northern and Central California.
  • The project has informed the development of the Community Microgrid Enablement Tariff and PG&E's Community Microgrid Enablement Program (CMEP).
  • The microgrid ensures that airport flight service and rescue operations continue without interruption, even in the event of a broader grid outage.
  • The project has been supported through California's Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC), a customer-funded program that enables the demonstration and deployment of emerging technology projects.

Statistics:

  • The microgrid features a 2.2-megawatt solar array.
  • The microgrid battery energy storage system has a capacity of 9 megawatt-hours.
  • The microgrid control system interfaces with PG&E's distribution control center.
  • The microgrid serves multiple functions, including participating in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) wholesale energy markets.
  • The microgrid has 19 connected customers.
  • The Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid has a goal of providing 100% carbon-free electricity by 2025 and 100% local carbon-free electricity by 2030.

Sources:

  • Business Wire: "California's First 100% Renewable Energy, Front-of-the-Meter, Multi-Customer Microgrid Now Fully Operational"
  • Schatz Energy Research Center:
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E):
  • Redwood Coast Energy Authority:
  • Tesla, Inc.:

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