Our Labs
Advanced Energy Research Labs & Equipment at UC San Diego
At UC San Diego, our state-of-the-art research facilities provide an unparalleled environment for testing, developing, and optimizing cutting-edge energy technologies.
Our laboratories, integrated within the UC San Diego Microgrid, offer a unique real-world testbed for industry, utilities, and academic researchers. Below, we provide a detailed look at our specialized research spaces, equipment, and capabilities.
UC San Diego Microgrid: A Living Laboratory
UC San Diego operates one of the most advanced microgrids in the world, covering 2,220 acres and serving 60,000 students, faculty, and staff. With a peak load of 55 MW and an annual consumption of 350,000 MWh, the microgrid integrates diverse energy resources, including:
30 MW natural gas cogeneration plant
Provides approximately 70% of campus electricity, heating, and cooling.
69 kV substation
Supplies additional power and integrates with San Diego Gas & Electric.
Energy storage and solar resources
Enhancing grid stability and sustainability.
Islandable operations
Equipped with sub-second load-shedding and emergency generation for blackout resilience.
East Campus Energy Park
A dedicated hub for energy innovation, the East Campus Energy Park serves as a testing ground for renewable energy, advanced energy storage, and electric transportation technologies. Key infrastructure includes:
4200-ton electric chillers & 2.2M gallon chilled water storage
Supports campus-wide cooling.
Future 10 MWh thermal energy storage system
Enhancing grid flexibility.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station
Available for campus and public use.
DC fast charging stations
Supporting electric fleet and public charging.
Energy Storage Innovation Lab (ESIL)
Provides a 1 MW grid connection for RD&D projects.
DERConnect Site
Enabling Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing and managing hundreds of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).
Battery storage systems
A 2.5 MW / 5 MWh lithium-ion system, soon to be replaced by a 10 MW / 40 MWh system.
Specialized Testing Equipment
Battery Testing Capabilities
Our laboratories feature advanced battery testing equipment to evaluate energy storage performance, efficiency, and reliability.
Arbin Cell Tester
- 16 channels, each operating at 0-5V and 60A.
- Channels can be paralleled for higher current testing.
Neware Cell Tester
- 32 channels, each operating at 0-5V and 100A.
Neware Module Tester
- 4 channels
- 0-200V per channel
- 0-200A per channel
- Up to 200V / 800A when paralleled.
Environmental & Grid Simulation Testing
Our facilities allow for rigorous environmental testing of energy storage systems and distributed energy resources (DERs).
Thermal Chambers
Used for temperature stress testing and performance evaluation.
- 1 chamber: -40°C to 150°C.
- 3 chambers: -70°C to 150°C.
- Integrated with battery test scripts for simulating real-world operating conditions.
Ametek Grid & PV Simulatorsa
- Enables precise simulation of grid conditions and solar generation impacts on energy storage systems.
- Supports research in renewable energy integration and grid stability.
High-Power Grid Connectivity
Our laboratories are equipped with multiple grid connection points, allowing for direct testing under real-world conditions.
SERF Lab Power Connections
- 480V, 50-100A three-phase connections for high-power testing.
- 240V/120V & 208V/120V outlets for distributed energy applications.
- Specialized marine and industrial connectors to support high-voltage energy storage research.
Join Us in Advancing Energy Storage
We are committed to setting new safety standards and ensuring the responsible development of energy technologies. Interested in collaborating? Contact us to explore research opportunities and industry partnerships.
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