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California's First 100% Renewable Energy Microgrid Now Fully Operational, Providing Enhanced Energy Resilience for Humboldt County

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

California's first 100% renewable energy microgrid, the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid, is now fully operational, providing enhanced energy resilience for the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport and US Coast Guard Air Station. The microgrid, developed through a partnership between the County of Humboldt, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), and the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, features a 2.2-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic array and a 2-MW (9 megawatt-hour) battery energy storage system, comprised of three Tesla Megapacks. This innovative system enables greater utilization of solar, supports grid reliability, and creates an economic model for future microgrids.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid is the first 100% renewable energy, front-of-the-meter, multi-customer microgrid in California, providing enhanced energy resilience for the airport and the US Coast Guard Air Station.
  • The microgrid features a 2.2-MW solar photovoltaic array and a 2-MW (9 megawatt-hour) battery energy storage system, comprised of three Tesla Megapacks.
  • The microgrid is managed in collaboration between project partners, with the Schatz Energy Research Center serving as the prime contractor and technology integrator.
  • The microgrid enables greater utilization of solar, supports grid reliability, and creates an economic model for future microgrids.
  • The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) owns the two solar arrays and the battery energy storage system, and works closely with schools, fire departments, tribes, and other local agencies to support community resilience.
  • PG&E owns, operates, and maintains the microgrid circuit and controls the microgrid during "islanding" operation.
  • The microgrid provides indefinite power for 19 connected customers in the event of a broader grid outage, ensuring that airport flight service and rescue operations continue without interruption.
  • The Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid is a model for resilient, clean energy, and serves as a blueprint for advancing the deployment of clean, multi-customer microgrids.

Statistics:

  • The Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid features a 2.2-MW solar photovoltaic array.
  • The microgrid battery energy storage system has a capacity of 9 megawatt-hours.
  • The microgrid is comprised of three Tesla Megapacks.
  • The microgrid enables a 20% increase in the utilization of solar energy.
  • PG&E has engaged with over three dozen communities and customers to explore potential financial and infrastructure support options for developing microgrids and resilience solutions through the Community Microgrid Enablement Program (CMEP).
  • The Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP) has a $200 million statewide fund dedicated to the development of clean energy microgrids supporting the critical needs of vulnerable populations and disadvantaged communities.

Sources:

  • Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
  • Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA)
  • Tesla, Inc.
  • The Energy Authority
  • TRC
  • California Energy Commission
  • Cal Poly Humboldt
  • United Airlines
  • Avelo Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • REACH/Cal-Ore Life Flights
  • US Coast Guard-Sector Humboldt Bay
  • World Bank Group
  • CLASP
  • IKEA Foundation

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