CleanSpark creates entirely renewable energy microgrid for Marine Corps
CleanSpark, Inc. completed last week work on its solar energy plus microgrid storage system at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, one of the largest Marine Corps bases in the United States.
The new system couples an all iron flow battery DC with solar photovoltaic generation capabilities located on carport shade structures and building roofs. The operation will inherently work in off-grid mode, while the microgrid itself will serve as a backup system. Through this configuration, the company states the system improves efficiency and harvests previously unusable solar power over greater periods of time.
“There have been quite a few technology achievements on this project, but what excites me the most is the functional outcome,” Anthony Vastola, senior vice president of projects for CleanSpark, said. “This is a hybrid Zero Net Energy facility incorporating both off-grid and grid connected renewable generation that work together to support project economics while also providing energy security. With strong system modelling, innovative engineering expertise, and effective microgrid control, we believe economics and energy security should go together.”
The system includes on-site generation that splits building loads, putting priority loads on an islanded system and shifting non-priority loads to the utility. Each renewable asset interacts with the established grid based on the present mode of operation.
