Morgan Hill Embraces Clean Energy with State-of-the-Art Battery System

Reducing peak demand charges and improving overall grid efficiency

Morgan Hill, CA — The City of Morgan Hill is proud to announce the completion and activation of a new battery storage/micro grid system at the Centennial Recreation Center (CRC). This project marks a significant step towards enhancing community resilience, promoting sustainable energy practices, and ensuring uninterrupted service during critical times.

“This battery storage project is a testament to the City of Morgan Hill’s commitment to sustainability and community resilience,” said Chris Ghione, Assistant City Manager for Public Services. “The City’s Parks and Recreation Facilities are critical infrastructure for our community, as they not only provide the health, recreation, and social benefits that make our community a wonderful place to live, they also serve as emergency shelter in times of need. By investing in advanced energy storage technology, we are ensuring that the Centennial Recreation Center can continue to serve as a reliable resource for our community, even during challenging times.”

The new battery storage system will work in conjunction with the facility’s existing solar system. The battery system has been developed to maximize the offset of the City’s overall electricity costs from PG&E and provide battery backup to the facility during power outages. This will help provide reliability and support for the Morgan Hill community.

The City of Morgan Hill obtained two grants to help support the battery project. Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) allocated $200,000 of its resiliency funding to the City for projects of this nature. In addition, the City was able to obtain a $300,000 grant from CalOES as part of their Communities Power Resiliency Allocation to Cities Program. The City of Morgan Hill is committed to continuing its efforts to adopt innovative and sustainable solutions that benefit the entire community.

“Over the last several years, Morgan Hill residents were impacted by extended power outages as a result of infrastructure failure,” said Monica Padilla, SVCE CEO, “Supporting our communities’ clean energy resilience is a priority for Silicon Valley Clean Energy. The addition of battery storage to the recreation center will not only allow Morgan Hill to get the most from its solar energy during peak times of the day but will kick on as backup power in the event of an emergency. During power outages, the City will be able to use the space as an emergency response center or charging center for first responders.”

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About the City of Morgan Hill and Morgan Hill Parks and Recreation

Nestled at the southern tip of Silicon Valley, Morgan Hill is a charming and vibrant community renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, diverse landscapes, rich history, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Home to a population of 46,000, Morgan Hill offers an exceptional experience for residents and visitors alike. Morgan Hill Parks and Recreation operates the Centennial Recreation Center, Aquatics Center, Community and Cultural Center, and a variety of recreation programs and activities year-round. Whether you’re looking for meeting room rentals, sports tournament locations, dance classes, science camps, tennis lessons, swim lessons, fitness classes, or parks and open spaces, there is something for everyone! Visit www.mhrecreation.com for more information

Media Contact

Chris Ghione, Public Services Director | (408) 779-7271 |

chris.ghione@morganhill.ca.gov

 

About Silicon Valley Clean Energy

Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing electricity from renewable and clean sources to more than 275,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org.

Media Contact

Michaela Pippin, Communications Manager | (408) 549-2690 |

Michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org