The microgrid was designed around the requirements of the local jurisdiction as well as the California air resource board, which limited the backup natural gas generator operating hours to less than 500 per year. Generac performed system analysis to determine the optimal system and generator size, as well as providing the necessary data required during the permitting process.
ARC provides the primary user interface, real-time controls, and system monitoring to maximize the renewable energy usage while utilizing the backup generator as necessary. Being near a residential area, the owner wanted to prevent the generator from running overnight. Generac implemented an overnight ‘quiet hours’ function wherein ARC proactively runs the generator in the evening to charge the batteries if the available capacity is insufficient to carry the facility load overnight. ARC has been performing exceptionally since commissioning and is providing cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable power than the local utility.
