The Santa Rita Jail is the first in the country to build its own all-inclusive smart grid. Located in Alameda County, the jail is the third-largest facility of its kind in California and the fifth-largest in the nation.
Several energy efficiency and renewable energy projects have been implemented since 2002, including solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, a fuel cell cogeneration plant, an advanced energy storage system, and a 3,600 million British thermal units (BTU) solar hot water system.
See more information about Santa Rita Jail Smart Grid System.
Photos of aerial view and fuel cell cogeneration plant courtesy of Alameda County. Photo of solar photovoltaic system courtesy of the California Energy Commission.
Benefits
- Reliable electricity for daily operations and security.
- Islanding capability without the need to use emergency backup diesel generators.
- Saves Alameda County approximately $100,000 per year in energy costs.
Key Developers and Partners
- California Energy Commission
- United States Department of Energy
- California Public Utilities Commission
- Alameda County's General Services Agency
- Chevron Energy Solutions
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company
- California Independent System Operator
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- University of Wisconsin.
Type of Project
Smart grid, solar, wind, fuel cell, advanced energy storage, solar thermal
Status
In operation.
SEE LOCATIONS ON THE TOUR
Alta Wind Farm Powers Homes
Wind
CleanWorld Sacramento BioDigester
Anaerobic digester
Desert Sunlight Solar Farm
Solar photovoltaic
Electric Vehicles International
Electric vehicle manufacturing
Eos Energy Storage
Energy Storage
The Geysers
Geothermal
Helms Pumped Storage Facility
Hydroelectric storage
Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System
Solar thermal
New Solar Homes Partnership
Solar Incentives
Playa Vista Elementary School
Green school
Proterra Zero-Emission Buses
Public Electric Vehicle Charging at the South Coast Air Quality Management District
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Santa Rita Jail
Smart grid/solar/wind/fuel cell/advanced energy storage/solar thermal
Shiloh Wind Power Plant
Wind Power
Solar Star Projects
UC Davis West Village
Zero net energy mixed use, multi-unit housing communities