In the United States (US) Aemetis, Inc., a leading producer of renewable natural gas and renewable fuels, has announced that it has selected and signed definitive agreements for a grid-connected, solar microgrid comprising an almost 2.0 MW photovoltaic array and a 1.25 MW battery energy storage system that will be integrated with an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven distributed control system at the Aemetis Advanced Fuels biorefinery in Keyes, California (CA).
Aemetis has contracted SunPower Corporation (SunPower) and Schneider Electric USA to supply and install the grid-connected, solar microgrid.
In addition to designing and supplying the photovoltaic solar system, SunPower will serve as the project’s engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor.
At a time when the transportation industry is driving to meet sustainability goals and reduce emissions, solar continues to become a bigger part of our daily lives with innovative solutions that help improve our air quality, said Eric Potts, EVP for Commercial at SunPower.
Reduce GHG emissions
A microgrid is a local renewable energy grid with control capability, allowing it to disconnect from the traditional power grid and operate autonomously. The system is powered by solar power with battery storage to maximize the value of the zero-carbon intensity (CI) electricity and extend hours of power supply.
The solar array will generate approximately 3.2 GWh per year and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 8 000 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) per year.
The microgrid creates energy resiliency and will assist with off-peak shaving and energy efficiency at the Aemetis low-carbon ethanol and renewable natural gas (RNG) upgrading and injection facility in Keyes.
As the leading US commercial solar provider, SunPower was a logical choice to lead this critical energy efficiency project at our flagship renewable fuels production facility. Combined with Schneider Electric’s world-leading process energy technologies, the solar microgrid will enhance operating efficiency, energy resilience and provide a significant return for our investors. This system will offer a meaningful reduction in our Carbon Intensity score of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard across our ecosystem of renewable fuels and ensure environmental and economic benefits, said Andy Foster, President, Aemetis Advanced Fuels.
Virtual servers
The new AI-enabled control system will run on virtualized servers, reducing the amount of computer hardware by 80 percent, which will require less power to operate than traditional systems.
Virtualized systems do not require changing hardware to upgrade obsolescent operating systems or security changes. The virtual environment will also help reduce planned and unplanned downtime.
SunPower is proud to work with Aemetis to utilize the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which drives renewable options for their operations and is helping the transportation sector decarbonize across the west. We applaud Aemetis for their leadership and leveraging the power of the sun, said Eric Potts.
The US$12 million solar microgrid, battery backup, and AI-enabled energy system are being supported by a US$8 million grant awarded to Aemetis by the California Energy Commission (CEC).
