Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit, integrated health plan, and hospital systems, has unveiled the largest hospital-based renewable energy microgrid system in the U.S.
It is located at the Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center in Southern California.
With 2MW of solar generation capacity and 9MWh of battery storage, the microgrid supports California’s clean energy transition while improving environmental health and reducing costs. It will contribute to the state’s power grid, enhancing reliability and supporting the state’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. The microgrid also includes a 1-MW fuel cell.
Its energy will provide power for the hospital’s day-to-day use and act as the first emergency power backup system during outages. It has the capacity to meet all the hospital’s energy needs for 10 continuous hours.
The company anticipates the microgrid’s on-site power generating capabilities will avoid approximately 650 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year by producing about 3,300 MWh of clean energy, which is enough electricity to power 275 homes year-round.
The battery energy storage system (BESS) was funded through an $8.3 million grant, courtesy of the California Energy Commission to Faraday Microgrids. Solar power canopies were installed by Ameresco under a PPA with Kaiser Permanente.
“Building on Kaiser Permanente’s legacy of innovation, we are taking a bold step forward in sustainability by embracing clean energy to build a healthier future for generations to come. As an organization that has always led the way in driving innovation and change, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide efficient, sustainable solutions while ensuring accessibility and affordability for our members,” said Nor Jemjemian, senior vice president for National Shared Services Operations at Kaiser Permanente, in a statement.
Learn more here.