Utilities Commissioner Visits Las Positas College

From LPC: Commissioner Carla Peterman visited LPC's UniEnergy Technologies' ReFlex™ energy storage system and viewed the progress of LPC energy-related projects funded by a $1.5 million grant from the California Energy Commission.

The grant will help fund LPC's Microgrid Automation Project, one of only 10 proposals statewide to be awarded funding. As the only community college to receive a grant, LPC's project develops a microgrid blueprint that will benefit other campuses and institutions. By using four 250,000-watt flow batteries to store excess energy generated by the school's 2.35 megawatt solar arrays during daylight hours, the microgrid network will manage the release of stored energy during evening hours and is projected to save LPC $100,000 per year. Although LPC currently generates 55 percent of its own electricity, the grant helps the college continue to reduce its carbon footprint as it strives to become energy independent. In addition to the California Energy Commission grant, Measure B is providing local funding required to complete the project.

Additional Measure B funds have been leveraged by the Chabot Las Positas Community College District to augment state or grant funding for other energy improvement projects including the installation of LED fixtures in parking lots and roadways district-wide.

Image Via LPC