TAHOE, Calif., (Nov 30, 2020) – Liberty (CalPeco Electric) LLC announced today that construction of its first microgrid is complete and in operation at UC Berkeley’s Sagehen Creek Field Station. A microgrid is a decentralized electric source and distribution that can provide electric power to an isolated area of the electrical distribution system and be synchronized with the full system, providing additional power and load balancing. The Sagehen Microgrid is comprised of 48 solar panels and 53kWh of battery storage, with emergency generator back up. The system allows Sagehen to operate almost exclusively on solar power during the summer months and will contribute to Liberty’s ongoing wildfire mitigation efforts.
“This project is a great example of our wildfire mitigation infrastructure hardening improvements”, said Eliot Jones, Liberty’s Sr. Manager Wildfire Prevention. “The microgrid will allow us to de-energize four miles of power line in the summer months which runs through dense vegetation in one of our higher risk areas for fire,” said Jones.
“Although wildfire mitigation and prevention is top of mind, especially during the hot dry summer months in California, this project also contributes to our organization’s sustainability and 100% renewable energy goals for Liberty (CalPeco Electric) LLC,” said Lindsay Maruncic, Liberty’s Sr. Manager Renewable Energy Assets. “This is the first microgrid in our service territory and represents progress toward the diversification and modernization of our electrical system”, said Maruncic.
Located off Highway 89, just north of Truckee, California, Sagehen Creek Field Station is a research and teaching facility that benefits both the University and students of the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. The University of California Berkeley has been an exceptional partner in the success of this project. The addition of the micro grid will be both an educational and environmental asset for all. “We are thrilled to be the site of Liberty’s first microgrid”, said Robert Rhew, the UC Berkeley Faculty Director of Sagehen. “Two major themes of research at our field station involve wildfire risk management and environmental change in the Sierra Nevada. The solar microgrid addresses both of these societal concerns by reducing both the risk of wilderness ignition and the emissions of radiatively active gases.”
For additional information about Liberty or its sustainability efforts, customers are asked to visit http://libertyutilities.com/cleanenergy/ or call 1-800-782-2506.
About Liberty
A subsidiary of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX/NYSE: AQN), Liberty is committed to providing safe and reliable natural gas, water, and electricity distribution services to over one million customer connections. Liberty’s operations are primarily located in the United States and Canada, but have expanded to Chile and Bermuda. With a customer-centric approach to management, Liberty provides a superior customer experience through local management of walk-in centers, conservation and energy efficiency initiatives, and programs for businesses and residential customers. We measure our performance in terms of service reliability, customer satisfaction, and an unwavering dedication to public and workplace safety. Liberty’s North American distribution operations include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma and Texas in the United States, and New Brunswick, Canada. For more information, please visit www.libertyutilities.com<http://www.libertyutilities.com>.
Liberty’s renewable energy business develops, owns, and operates a portfolio of long-term contracted wind, solar, and hydroelectric generating facilities representing over 2 GW of installed capacity and more than 1.4 GW of incremental renewable energy capacity under construction. As an independent power producer, Liberty delivers stable and growing earnings from a diversified portfolio of non-regulated renewable and clean energy powered electric generation facilities; demonstrates a responsible attitude to the environment and the community partners that host its facilities; recognizes that continued development of people is key to success; and provides continuing growth from a robust pipeline of greenfield renewable power projects and value accretive acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.algonquinpower.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain written statements included herein constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws in each of the provinces of Canada and the respective policies, regulations and rules under such laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). The words "will", "expects", "intends", "plans", "should" and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specific forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to statements regarding the ongoing strategy and purpose of the Company, including commitment to sustainability and stakeholders; the impact of services on customers and communities; the timing for introduction of the new Liberty brand; sustainability strategy, initiatives, targets and goals, including those related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, women in leadership and increasing renewable generation; ongoing and planned projects and initiatives including smart meters, net meters, battery storage, and free water-saving devices; biodiversity and conservation initiatives; the outcome and impact of our ongoing Customer First initiative; future growth in earnings; and continued growth and acquisition of renewable energy projects and opportunities. These statements are based on factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including assumptions based on historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Since forward-looking statements relate to future events and conditions, by their nature they rely upon assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties. APUC and Liberty caution that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, actual results may differ materially from the expectations set out in the forward-looking statements. Material risk factors and assumptions include those set out in APUC's most recent annual and interim Management Discussion and Analysis and most recent Annual Information Form, filed with securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States. Given these risks, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of their dates. Other than as specifically required by law, neither APUC nor Liberty undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.
