Houston, May 30, 2024 – Cal Poly Humboldt has selected TotalEnergies to integrate a 6 MW advanced battery energy storage system into a state-of-the-art renewable microgrid that is currently under development by the Schatz Energy Research Center. TotalEnergies will design, develop, build, operate and maintain the microgrid-ready battery solution as Cal Poly Humboldt’s long-term energy storage provider.
The campus microgrid will be managed as a living lab that offers unique opportunities for hands-on instruction to its environmental resources, energy systems, and mechanical engineering students.
“Cal Poly Humboldt’s microgrid is emblematic of the California State University system’s leadership in clean energy,” commented Eric Potts, Vice President of TotalEnergies Renewables USA. “With multiple projects on Cal State campuses and beyond, we’re bringing our deep expertise in battery storage solutions for higher education to Cal Poly Humboldt in support of achieving their sustainability goals.”
The TotalEnergies intelligent battery system will be the resiliency foundation of Cal Poly Humboldt’s microgrid. Supported by 2 MW of distributed solar and a 2 MW generator for deep backup, the battery will ensure stable, low-carbon backup power and continuity for critical campus operations during grid outages. These outages are increasingly frequent due to weather events, earthquakes, and Public Safety Power Shutoffs. When the campus is connected to the local utility grid, the battery system will offset demand in peak periods, substantially reducing annual energy costs.
“Our renewable microgrid reflects Cal Poly Humboldt’s ambition to set a new standard for on-campus sustainability and world-class technical education for the next generation of clean energy engineers. We look forward to collaborating with TotalEnergies as our partner in energy transformation,” commented David Carter, principal engineer of the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Development of the battery energy storage system (BESS) installation is currently underway at Cal Poly Humboldt. TotalEnergies expects to begin operating the facility in close cooperation with the Schatz Energy Research Center in mid-2025. To learn more about energy storage solutions from TotalEnergies, visit: solar.totalenergies.us/energy-storage.
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Image credit: Cal Poly Humboldt