Chevron Energy Solutions and Alameda County's Santa Rita Jail, the fifth largest county prison in the nation, have built the largest self-sustaining smart grid of its kind in the U.S. With this new technology, energy can be generated and stored on site to ensure the jail never loses power. In fact, if the utility grid were to be disturbed, the jail can seamlessly disconnect from the public grid and operate independently until local power is restored.
It also means significant financial savings.
"It gives us a savings of about $100,000 a year," said Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson. "So in terms of showing that you can be sensitive to the environment and still save money, it proves both of those things."
Chevron Energy Solutions partnered with Alameda County and others on the project. Chevron Energy Solutions provides integrated energy efficiency solutions for large facilities and buildings, including many public schools in California.
"This project reinforces Chevron's commitment to researching, developing and applying new technologies to improve grid stability while reducing carbon emissions and costs for our customers," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions.