EDF Renewables upping California vineyard’s resiliency with solar + storage project

EDF Renewables North America was chosen by the award-winning sparkling wine company Domaine Carneros to design, build, and operate a resilient solar + storage microgrid solution. The system supports Domaine Carneros’ long-term financial and sustainability goals and is designed to island the entire facility during a power outage.

The 250-kW solar system will be a combination of carport and ground-mount installations integrated with a 280-kW/540-kWh onsite behind-the-meter battery storage solution. Along with its integrated smart electrical infrastructure and sophisticated controls, the microgrid system will allow the solar and storage to power the facility and maintain 100% of its operations during a power outage, reducing diesel fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as well as extend fuel reserves up to an entire week.

Wildfires, rolling blackouts and PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs, have made power unreliable throughout California, putting products and business operations at risk. Domaine Carneros is one of the first in the region to implement a microgrid solution, leveraging all available onsite assets to improve resilience and sustainability while also reducing costs during grid-connected and power outage operations. The resilient solution is part of a portfolio of microgrid projects that EDF Renewables is deploying with public and private entities throughout California.

“We are pleased to provide Domaine Carneros with security of energy supply in these times of uncertainty due to increased wildfire risk,” said Raphael Declercq, EVP of distributed solutions and strategy at EDF Renewables. “The power shut-offs and California’s rolling blackouts are emblematic of trends in prolonged power outages occurring in the wake of extreme weather events. Clean microgrids represent the next step in solar and storage solutions reducing GHG emissions and supporting businesses during both grid-connected and power outage operations.”

The solar portion of the project will reduce the facility’s utility provider energy cost, while the battery system optimizes operations by allowing the facility to draw from the stored energy during the utility’s expensive evening on-peak period. The energy storage system will also reduce utility costs by discharging the battery to mitigate spikes in usage thereby lowering demand charges. Meanwhile, the microgrid system will reduce Domaine Carneros diesel fuel costs and avoid renting expensive backup generators for fire seasons.

“Domaine Carneros is excited to embark on this project with EDF Renewables that will build upon our robust sustainability program and existing solar energy array,” said Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros. “As estate vineyard owners, we realize the responsibility of operating in an environmentally conscientious fashion. This installation is the next step in a 33-year history of stewardship and leadership in sustainability initiatives.”

EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions group offers on-site clean energy for office buildings, load serving entities, corporates and industrials. The company delivers solar, storage and electric vehicle charging stations as separate products or combined as a full microgrid offering.

News item from EDF Renewables North America

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/11/edf-renewables-upping-california-vineyards-resiliency-with-solar-storage-project/