The California Energy Commission recently announced support for microgrid technology by funding a research demonstration project at Camp Pendleton in San Diego.
The Commission has approved a $1.7 million award to San Diego-based Harper Construction Company, Inc., to demonstrate a set of intelligent microgrids that use community scale renewable resources within an existing utility grid at the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton. The project will integrate on-site flat-plate and concentrating photovoltaic technology with energy efficiency, energy storage and other technologies to provide reliable power and support critical base functions. The project includes $1.1 million in match funding from the grant recipient and subcontractors.
The Camp Pendleton project is one of several Commission funded microgrid demonstrations taking place at U.S. military installations. The Commission recently approved a $2 million award to Concurrent Technologies Corporation to share costs in a U.S. Department of Defense vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Vehicle-to-grid technology allows two-way power transmission so that electric vehicle batteries can provide electricity to the grid as needed during peak hours, and charge during off-peak hours.
“Investing in microgrid research and testing is critical for meeting California’s clean, renewable energy goals,” said Energy Commission Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller. “This project will evaluate new and emerging technologies in a real world environment while providing reliable and secure energy to the military base at Camp Pendleton.”
Source: California Energy Commission
