Kohler CO.'s project (i.e., "the casa grande vikrell plant electric boiler & microgrid system") aims to upgrade the vikrell plant in casa grande, arizona, to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions…

Kohler CO.'s project (i.e., "the casa grande vikrell plant electric boiler & microgrid system") aims to upgrade the vikrell plant in casa grande, arizona, to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and provide jobs to the local community. The project will demonstrate the use of electric boilers powered by a new microgrid, consisting of a photovoltaic solar array and battery energy storage system (bess), that uses machine learning to provide "smoothing" of electricity supply and demand. With the introduction of onsite generation, kohler will participate in programs offered by arizona public service aimed at bolstering the local casa grande grid. Additionally, by electrically linking the new utility service with the existing facility service, kohler can further decarbonize the site by ensuring that any excess clean energy produced via the microgrid is consumed onsite. The project aims to demonstrate a commercially viable pathway for electrified industrial applications that currently use natural gas for process heat needs. This project will provide tangible benefits to the casa grande community including new permanent jobs and increased grid stability using kohler's microgrid.