The city of Santa Barbara has started construction on a microgrid expected to generate about 700,000 kWh of carbon-free electricity annually for municipal operations.
The 425-kW system combines solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage at the Grenada Garage parking area. The microgrid will generate power for the garage, Granada offices and the 911 Call Center while also offsetting electricity costs at the nearby Central Library.
The system will contribute to decarbonization goals for the city of Santa Barbara, but the microgrid also is designed to operate while disconnected from the main grid. Work began in late August, and completion and commercial operation of the microgrid are expected by next summer.
“This project is a win-win-win on economics, resilience and the environment,” Alelia Parenteau, the city’s sustainability and resilience director, said in a statement. “We are thrilled that it will make this critical facility more resilient while generating local, renewable electricity at a cost-effective rate.”
Santa Barbara city leaders have set a Strategic Energy Plan of goal of 100 percent renewable electricity for the entire community by 2030. The battery storage system being installed at Granada Garage was partially funded by the Self-Generation Incentive Program through utility Southern California Edison.
Call for Speakers now open to submit sessions for next year's Microgrid Knowledge Conference
Microgrid 2024 in Baltimore: Experience the Revolution in Energy
The batteries will store electricity generated by the on-site solar array and then discharge the power for the facility at nighttime or when utility grid rates are most expensive.
The city of Santa Barbara’s long-term goal is to build more microgrids. The first project, for First Station 1, is expected to go online within a few months, generating electricity for the Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services.
City leaders also are exploring the potential for future microgrids at a water treatment facility and library complex.
Last year, energy developer ENGIE installed 4.2-MW in solar microgrids across the Santa Barbara Unified School District. The six sites connected a total of 3.8-MWh in battery energy storage duration capacity.
The Santa Barbara school microgrid project is expected to provide $6.47 million of value-added benefits due to the resilience it will offer. It is also expected to offset approximately 90% of the solar array sites' energy use with renewable energy
