California Energy Commission Selected OCC to Demonstrate Next-Gen MORBUG

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has selected OCC to demonstrate next-generation Mobile Renewable BackUp Generators [MORBUGs]. This selection was based on OCC’s experience with Hybrid Power Systems and OCC’s advanced Silicon- Carbide(SiC)-enabled power converters. OCC-MORBUGs will deliver substantial rate-payer benefits by reducing the impact of power-grid shutdowns (e.g. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events) and the use of polluting fossil-fuel generators.

Demonstration of 15 kW Silicon-Carbide enabled OCC-MORBUGs

Electricity is the prime-mover of modern society that powers our business, schools, services, homes, emergency response, etc. Loss of electricity can quickly send a community back to the dark ages. In recent years, loss of electricity has become more frequent in high fire-threat districts (HFTDs) not only due to increased catastrophic wildfires but also due to Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPSs). The reason for PSPS is that Investor Owned Utilities (IOU) turn OFF electricity when weather conditions increase the likelihood that the electrical system could cause a wildfire. PSPSs impact the safety and health of a substantial number of customers in IOU territories.

Backup generators are in demand to maintain normal or at least critical operation in HFTDs. Presently, the most common solution to grid outages is stationary or mobile fossil-fuel backup generation. Many facilities have installed costly stationary fossil-fuel backup generators that they use to island from the grid during outages. Fossil fuel backup generators are noisy and generate substantial pollution during operation. A clean-energy alternative is needed to provide power to communities during PSPS events or other emergency outages.

Clean energy alternatives to costly stationary fossil-fuel systems are starting to be addressed by stationary renewables-based microgrids and energy storage. Research is urgently needed to create clean energy alternatives for mobile systems. This effort focuses on technology demonstration and deployment of mobile renewable (clean-energy) 15kW 3-Phase, 1-Phase, & DC backup generators (MORBUGs) to support communities during grid outages.