Integrated Multi-Tech System Slashes Drug Research Institute’s Energy Costs

With nearly a half century of pioneering work, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is one of the most advanced non-profit drug research centers in the world. The institute is dedicated to uncovering the fundamental molecular causes of disease and devising the innovative therapies of tomorrow.

The Challenge

Mitigate Volatile Electricity Prices and High Peak Demand Charges

Sanford Burnham Prebys faced the same challenge many facilities do: costly energy expenses in the form of high monthly electricity bills. Utilities will often charge more for electricity during times of peak demand on the grid, normally in the late afternoon and early evening hours. On top of that, many utilities also levy peak demand charges where customers pay a more expensive rate for their highest 15 minutes of consumption in a billing cycle. For a nonprofit like Sanford Burnham Prebys, these fees add up.

PowerFlex’s Solution

A Money-Saving Cleantech System

INSTALLATION TYPE

Rooftop Solar & Carport
Battery Energy Storage
EV Charging

INSTALLATION SIZES

847-kW Solar
800-kW / 1.8-MWh Battery
50 Level 2 EV Chargers

LOCATION

La Jolla, CA

INCENTIVE

Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)

Sanford Burnham Prebys partnered with PowerFlex to install a clean energy system that incorporates multiple technologies: solar generation, battery energy storage, and smart electric vehicle charging.

The solar components consist of panels on the institute’s roof as well as a solar carport that provides shade and shelter to parked vehicles. Together, they generate clean electricity that Sanford Burnham Prebys uses to offset power it consumes from the utility grid. Surplus solar energy is stored in an integrated battery energy storage system for use later in the day, when electricity rates are at their highest.

The project also includes 50 Level 2 electric vehicle chargers for employees and visitors to utilize while they’re on the campus.

Sanford Burnham’s solar, energy storage, and EV charging assets are integrated into a cohesive system by the PowerFlex X cleantech platform, which monitors, controls, and co-optimizes onsite distributed energy resources to maximize sustainability impact and resiliency while minimizing costs.The platform’s optimization algorithms include the patented Adaptive Load Management® (ALM), which intelligently balances EV charging to eliminate spikes in facility energy consumption that can trigger expensive peak demand fees from the utility.

ALM also allows for a large number of charging stations to be installed without the need for expensive electrical system upgrades — saving customers 60% or more on implementation costs.

Using a single sign-on, customers can gain insights into their system performance and revenue through a digital portal with real-time data, actionable alerts, dashboards, and comprehensive reporting.

Thanks to PowerFlex, Sanford Burnham Prebys is expected to slash its utility expenses by $7 million over the system’s lifetime, as well as reduce its annual carbon emissions by more than 700 tons.