San Diego Zoo to Save $1.2 Million With Battery Energy Storage System

The San Diego Zoo, renowned for its world-class animal care and conservation efforts, is a leading destination that welcomes throngs of visitors each year. Spanning 100 acres and home to more than 12,000 animals, the Zoo is committed to advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship throughout its operations.

The Challenge

Juggling Energy Costs and Environmental Commitments

The San Diego Zoo faces significant and fluctuating energy demands. With millions of annual visitors, the Zoo must ensure reliable power for its facilities while managing rising utility costs. Spikes in energy usage during peak periods can lead to substantial demand charges, straining operational budgets and complicating efforts to allocate resources toward conservation and sustainability initiatives. The Zoo needed a solution that would not only control energy expenses but also align with its broader mission of environmental stewardship.

PowerFlex’s Solution

Capture Significant Savings With Eco-Friendly Battery Energy Storage

INSTALLATION TYPE

Battery Energy Storage

INSTALLATION SIZE

1 MW / 4 MWh

LOCATION

San Diego, CA

INCENTIVE

Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) Program

PowerFlex partnered with the San Diego Zoo to implement a 1-megawatt (MW) / 4-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) designed to optimize energy usage and reduce operational expenses. The onsite BESS mitigates spikes in energy demand by storing electricity for use during high utility rate periods, effectively lowering demand charges and providing greater control over energy consumption. This solution not only delivers financial savings — projected to surpass $1 million over the lifetime of the system — but also supports the Zoo’s sustainability goals by enabling the facility to power critical loads with stored energy during peak periods. Structured as a shared savings agreement with no upfront capital required, the project leverages the Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) to maximize value and ensure long-term benefits for both the Zoo and its conservation mission.