Water utility Santa Margarita Water District in California has engaged Scale Microgrid Solutions to install, finance and operate 1-MWh energy storage systems at its water and wastewater treatment facilities.
These are being built in areas designed by the California Public Utilities Commission as “High Fire Threat Territories.” Rancho Santa Margarita is located within the Santa Lucia Mountains.
The battery installation will ensure supply of 8-plus hours of clean power as backup at times of an outage. Installations will be at facilities that frequently face shut offs due to possible or actual wildfires. These projects will bring benefits like elimination of the need for polluting diesel fuel and reduction in energy costs.
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Don Bunts, Deputy General Manager at Santa Margarita Water District, expects the end product to benefit customers by ensuring increased resiliency, energy cost reduction and lowering of the carbon footprint. Santa Margarita Water District (District) provides drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to over 200,000 residents in nine unique communities in California.
Scale Microgrid Solutions will own and operate the batteries and the initial costs for these systems will be offset by the state’s Self Generation Incentive Program.
“This innovative project will provide Santa Margarita Water District with the energy independence to prepare for future environmental and economic challenges,” Ryan Goodman, CEO and co-founder of Scale Microgrid Solutions, said.
The energy storage system at the Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant will pair with the existing on-site 1 MW of solar PV. The installed batteries will charge before scheduled power shutoff events, enrol in utility demand response programs and ensure grid stability during peak periods.
