Eaton, an energy management company, has partnered with Bloom Energy to develop a microgrid for a large medical center in California. The collaboration aims to reduce energy costs by 20% and greenhouse gas emissions by 25%. The microgrid is expected to support critical loads during power outages and be completed by the end of this year.
The project includes Eaton’s smart microgrid controls and approximately 1.75 megawatts (MW) of fuel cells from Bloom Energy. Eaton also provides turnkey microgrid system design and engineering services, as well as power distribution equipment to optimize the microgrid for maximum energy savings, resiliency and sustainability.
The health care industry is responsible for approximately 8.5% of carbon emissions in the United States. To address this issue, more than 100 organizations, including Eaton, have joined the White House/Department of Health and Human Services Healthcare Climate Commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero. emissions in 2050.
Ashley Shirk, account executive at Bloom Energy, emphasized the importance of having a reliable power source for critical facilities in the face of increasing uncertainty and high risk. Igor Stamenkovic, vice president and general manager of Eaton’s Electrical Engineering Services and Systems Division, highlighted the need for new clean energy solutions in the healthcare industry to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and increase durability. This collaboration with Bloom Energy shows how microgrid systems can contribute to decarbonization and provide uninterrupted power in healthcare environments
