Company Background
Siemens AG, based in Munich, Germany, teamed up with the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe, a tribal government located in Northern California. Along with Humboldt State University’s Schatz Energy Research Center, they aimed to create a resilient, low‑carbon microgrid for the tribe’s 100‑acre reservation.
What They Built
The microgrid integrates 420 kW of solar power with a 500 kW/950 kWh battery system and leverages Siemens’ Spectrum Power Microgrid Management System (SP MGMS) to automate energy dispatch. Diesel and biomass backup units offer additional redundancy. SP MGMS enables seamless transitions between grid‑connected and islanded operations, meaning it can run independently during outages.
Project Highlights
This system supplies energy to the tribe’s government offices, hotel, casino, and an American Red Cross shelter. Thanks to the automation provided by SP MGMS, the microgrid doesn’t require constant human oversight, which streamlines operations while ensuring reliability. It was delivered on time with less than 1.5 % cost overrun.
Impact on Sustainability
By coupling renewable energy with battery storage, the microgrid delivered year‑round power with significant environmental benefits. It cut greenhouse‑gas emissions by around 159 t of CO₂ in 2017, with reductions expected to reach 175 t annually. During a wildfire‑induced outage, the microgrid islanded successfully, keeping critical facilities operational.
Resilience and Community Protection
Beyond powering the tribe’s businesses, the microgrid serves as a critical safety net. It powers a designated evacuation centre and ensures lifeline services remain available during emergencies. Controllable loads and backup generators give it the flexibility needed for day‑to‑day reliability and disaster response.
Influence on the Market
The project has received widespread recognition from agencies such as FEMA and DistribuTECH, highlighting its success as a model for tribal and rural microgrids. It demonstrates how integrating DERs with a smart management system can make community‑scale microgrids both practical and financially sustainable.
Financial Benefits
The microgrid has brought substantial economic benefits: it saved the tribe about US$160,000 in 2017 and is on track to save nearly US$200,000 annually. Additionally, it created a 10 % boost in local employment thanks to new clean‑energy jobs. These savings and job opportunities help shield the community from rising energy prices and provide long‑term economic stability.
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