UC San Diego has been awarded $7.15 million from the California Energy Commission to upgrade and expand its on-campus energy storage system—making it the largest lithium-ion battery installation of any university in the country. This 10 MW/40 MWh system will not only enhance the reliability of the university’s renowned microgrid but also contribute to statewide efforts to stabilize the electric grid during peak demand.

Led by Mike Ferry, Director of Energy Storage and Systems at the UC San Diego Center for Energy Research, the project will modernize and decarbonize the campus’s existing infrastructure, replacing a 5 MWh battery system in place since 2014. The new system will be capable of powering approximately 7,500 homes for four hours and is scheduled to be operational in the latter half of 2025.

Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla emphasized the university’s ongoing role as a hub for climate innovation, noting that the project aligns with UC San Diego’s broader mission to address climate change through research and technology.

Additionally, the campus plans to install a 10 MWh thermal energy storage system from RedoxBlox Inc. in 2026. Together, these advancements will support regional decarbonization by improving the integration of solar energy and bolstering California’s electric grid.

Read the full article at UC San Diego News:
UC San Diego to Receive $7 Million to Power Campus and Strengthen State Electricity Grid