SALT Energy, a Maryland based developer of renewable energy and microgrid projects, has teamed up with Baker Energy Team of Roseville, Calif., to explore the development of microgrids to serve new businesses in California City, especially cannabis growing operations.
A microgrid project could be in operation as soon as next summer, according to Robert Babcock, president and owner of SALT Energy. Although they are still preliminary, Babcock said he has had discussions with businesses that are either already in California City or are looking to locate there, particularly cannabis grow operations.
California City has a sunny, arid climate well suited for growing cannabis, and the city has a lot of open space.
The city was designed as a model to rival Los Angeles in size. Streets and services were laid out, and the city was incorporated in 1965. But although the lots were sold, the city never reached its planned size. Today there are about 14,000 residents of California City.
At this point, however, an influx of businesses with high electrical demand could strain California City’s grid, which is run by Southern California Edison. A cannabis grow operation can require service of up to 6,000 amps.
Linked microgrids for California City?
Since recreational marijuana became legal in California on January 1, utilities throughout the state have been swamped with service requests from cannabis growers looking to connect or upgrade their electrical service. That has resulted in service fulfillment waits of up to a year or more.
“California City is at the end of the line and the time lines are even longer,” Babcock said. “Cannabis growers want their service requests done yesterday.”
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