The Yolo County Office of Education ramped up its sustainable energy and school resiliency efforts on Aug. 23 and made history in the process by becoming the first county office of education in the country to operate its own independent microgrid.
“As a Yolo County board of education trustee, I am proud to celebrate Yolo COE’s launch of the School Resiliency and Sustainability Project — the first of its kind in the nation,” said Board Vice President Armando Salud-Ambriz. “By operating an independent microgrid, we are leading the way in sustainable energy and school resiliency, thanks to the dedication of our team and partners, such as Syserco Energy Solutions.”
Syserco Energy Solutions designed a microgrid system that includes renewable solar energy, a battery energy storage system and advanced energy management technology tailored to meet the unique needs of the COE’s facilities. The small-scale power grid can operate independently or in conjunction with the main power grid.
By 2026, when the project is estimated to be completed, the microgrid will be able to provide backup power during outages, reduce electricity costs through optimized energy management and promote environmental sustainability by integrating renewable energy sources such as solar power.
According to county officials, the sustainability project will generate an estimated net savings in energy costs of more than $7 million over 20 years and nearly $10 million over the life of the system.
“This project will not only move our county office of education toward complete sustainability in how we consume energy, but it will also save us millions of dollars in the long term,” Yolo County Superintendent Garth Lewis said in a statement. “The project aligns with our vision to be a model of excellence in educational service, innovation and impact.”
The estimated $4.8 million project will be implemented at six locations and involves a comprehensive plan with 12 significant energy conservation measures and improvements in which Yolo COE seeks to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to its various facilities and school sites, reduce its carbon footprint and provide valuable learning opportunities for students about renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
Solar arrays are to be installed at three designated sites in Yolo County, as well as four electric vehicle charging stations at the county office of education. The project also involves replacing and electrifying HVAC units that would be powered through the microgrid output, automated energy systems and controls, and technology designed to improve indoor environments including the installation of carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors to improve classroom air quality.
Matthew Juchniewicz, Yolo COE director of Support Operations Services, called the project a “leap into the future of energy efficiency and a greener world.”
“By extending the life of HVAC systems and preparing for the shift to electric vehicles, we ensure that our facilities remain cutting-edge and sustainable,” he said in a statement. “Our commitment to electrification is about more than just energy — it’s about setting a standard for operational excellence and anticipating the needs of tomorrow.”
