Microgrid
A Model for the Future of Energy
The UC San Diego Microgrid is one of the most advanced, resilient, and sustainable energy systems in the world.
Designed as a real-world testbed for cutting-edge energy technologies, it supplies 92% of the campus’s annual electricity needs and integrates a diverse mix of renewable energy, energy storage, and advanced grid control systems.
With a 55-megawatt (MW) peak load, UC San Diego’s microgrid is larger than many utility grids and serves as a proving ground for innovations in grid resilience, decarbonization, and energy optimization. It enables researchers, utilities, and industry partners to test, validate, and refine emerging energy technologies in a real-world, grid-connected environment.
With a 55-megawatt (MW) peak load, UC San Diego’s microgrid is larger than many utility grids and serves as a proving ground for innovations in grid resilience, decarbonization, and energy optimization. It enables researchers, utilities, and industry partners to test, validate, and refine emerging energy technologies in a real-world, grid-connected environment.
Renewable Energy Generation
UC San Diego has committed to carbon neutrality by 2025, and The microgrid plays a critical role in helping UC San Diego achieve its decarbonization goals. The campus generates clean power from multiple sources, including:
Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Over 2.8 MW of rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels generate renewable energy.
Cogeneration Plant
A 30 MW combined heat and power (CHP) plant efficiently generates electricity and captures waste heat for campus heating and cooling.
Advanced Energy Storage
The microgrid integrates multiple energy storage technologies to balance renewable generation and enhance grid reliability. These include:
Lithium-Ion Battery Systems
Over 2 MW of energy storage helps manage demand and provide grid stability.
Zinc and Iron Flow Batteries
Long-duration storage technologies support research into alternative battery chemistries.
Thermal Energy Storage
A 3.8 million-gallon chilled water tank stores energy for campus cooling, reducing peak electricity demand.
Smart Grid Controls & Real-Time Optimization
The microgrid uses advanced software and artificial intelligence to optimize energy usage and enhance grid resilience:
AI-Driven Energy Management
Predictive algorithms optimize when to charge batteries, dispatch power, and manage loads.
Automated Demand Response
The system can adjust energy usage in real-time to reduce peak demand charges.
Microgrid Islanding
During grid outages, the microgrid can disconnect from the utility and operate independently.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure
UC San Diego is home to one of the largest university-based EV charging networks in the country, supporting research on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration and sustainable transportation. Features include:
300+ EV Charging Stations across campus.
Bi-Directional Charging
Vehicles can supply power back to the grid during peak demand periods.
Second-Life EV Battery Projects
Research initiatives explore how used EV batteries can support grid storage.
The UC San Diego Microgrid demonstrates how large institutions can transition to sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. As utilities and policymakers seek to modernize the grid, the lessons learned here are shaping the future of energy worldwide.
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