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Electric utilities

California's First 100% Renewable Microgrid Becomes Fully Operational

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

California's first 100% renewable, multi-customer microgrid is now fully operational, providing enhanced energy resilience for the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station. The front-of-the-meter microgrid, developed through a partnership between Humboldt County, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), and several other organizations, features a 2.2 MW solar photovoltaic array coupled to a 2-MW battery energy storage system. This cutting-edge technology is managed in collaboration between the project partners and serves multiple functions, making it a role model for communities across the state striving to green their energy supply and bolster their resilience in the face of climate change.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid is California's first 100% renewable, multi-customer microgrid, providing enhanced energy resilience for the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station.
  • The microgrid features a 2.2 MW solar photovoltaic array coupled to a 2-MW (9 megawatt hours) battery energy storage system, comprised of three Tesla Megapacks.
  • The microgrid includes a microgrid control system with protection and isolation devices that interface with PG&E's distribution control center.
  • Redwood Coast Energy Authority owns the microgrid.
  • Schatz Energy Research Center served as the prime contractor and technology integrator responsible for leading the microgrid's design, testing, and deployment.
  • The Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid is a role model for communities across the state striving to green their energy supply and bolster their resilience in the face of climate change.

Statistics:

  • 2.2 MW: The capacity of the solar photovoltaic array.
  • 2 MW: The capacity of the battery energy storage system.
  • 9 megawatt hours: The total energy storage capacity of the microgrid.
  • 3: The number of Tesla Megapacks used in the battery energy storage system.
  • 2022: The year the microgrid became fully operational.

Sources:

  • Global Data Point (2022)
  • SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info)

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