Kaiser Ontario Microgrid

Challenge

Healthcare facilities require reliable, resilient power systems that can support critical operations while also advancing sustainability goals. For Kaiser Permanente’s Ontario campus, the challenge was developing a microgrid capable of enhancing energy resilience and reducing operating costs within the regulatory constraints that limit how renewable energy systems can support hospital emergency power.

Solution

Mazzetti partnered with Kaiser Permanente and the project team to deploy an innovative microgrid that integrated a 9 MWh battery energy storage system, a 1 MW fuel cell, and a 1.8 MW solar photovoltaic array. The team designed the connection between the microgrid and the hospital and worked closely with regulatory authorities to allow the system to provide supplemental power to the existing emergency generators. By bringing together advanced technologies and strategic system integration, the project created a flexible energy solution that supports both daily operations and emergency preparedness.

Outcome

Completed in April 2025, the microgrid improved campus resilience by increasing available backup power capacity while lowering operating costs through strategic battery charging and discharging. The system saves approximately $30,000 annually by storing energy during lower-cost periods and deploying it during peak utility pricing. The project also demonstrated that renewable microgrid systems can successfully contribute to hospital emergency power strategies, helping reduce carbon emissions while supporting critical healthcare operations. The deployment of a large-scale Eos flow battery further established the project as a leading example of innovative and sustainable healthcare infrastructure.