Kaiser Permanente Unveils Nation's Largest Hospital-Based Renewable Microgrid in Ontario - Victor Valley News

ONTARIO, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Kaiser Permanente has launched the largest hospital-based renewable energy microgrid system in the United States at its Ontario Medical Center, a groundbreaking project designed to support California’s clean energy goals while improving environmental health and reducing long-term operational costs.

The Ontario facility’s new microgrid integrates 2 megawatts of on-site solar power, 9 megawatt-hours of non-lithium battery storage, and a 1-megawatt fuel cell, creating a clean and resilient energy system capable of powering the hospital’s emergency operations for up to 10 hours during a grid outage.

According to Kaiser Permanente, the advanced microgrid will help ensure uninterrupted patient care during emergencies while reducing reliance on diesel generators traditionally used as backup power sources in hospitals across the state.

“Building on Kaiser Permanente’s legacy of innovation, we are taking a bold step forward in sustainability by embracing clean energy to build a healthier future for generations to come,” said Nor Jemjemian, senior vice president for National Shared Services Operations at Kaiser Permanente.

In addition to providing emergency backup, the system is designed to optimize energy use and reduce costs. An automated control platform manages how energy is stored and distributed. When electricity from the grid is inexpensive, the system stores solar energy; when prices spike, the stored energy is discharged for use.

Kaiser Permanente anticipates that the solar array will generate approximately 3,300 megawatt-hours per year, enough electricity to power 275 homes annually, while offsetting roughly 650 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The battery storage portion of the project was supported by an $8.3 million grant from the California Energy Commission to Faraday Microgrids. The solar canopy system was installed by Ameresco under a power purchase agreement with Kaiser Permanente.

The new system builds on the health care provider’s history of environmental stewardship. Kaiser Permanente achieved carbon neutral status in 2020, and the organization has committed to achieving net-zero emissions across all operations by 2050, with a 50% reduction goal by 2030.

“We know that pollution and carbon emissions harm people’s health,” said Dr. Bechara Choucair, executive vice president and chief health officer. “As a health care provider and anchor institution in the communities we serve, we have an obligation to mitigate environmental harms.”

Kaiser Permanente previously debuted California’s first hospital renewable microgrid in 2017 at its Richmond Medical Center, which includes 250 kilowatts of solar generation and a 1-megawatt-hour battery.

“We know if other hospital systems in the region join us in this effort, we can reduce our industry’s environmental burden,” said Georgina Garcia, senior vice president and San Bernardino County area manager. “This project shows what’s possible when health care leads the way toward a healthier future for the Inland Empire.”

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