Wisconsin Nature Center Powered by Most Advanced Microgrid in the Midwest

The largest and most advanced microgrid in the Midwest is being built near Appleton to power the Gordon Bubolz Nature Center with renewable energy. The new 18,000 square foot center, to be completed January 2018 by The Boldt Company, and another building on the 725 acre reserve, will be able to be powered by the grid or on their own by a grid-connected microgrid with solar, battery energy storage, a fuel cell, microturbine and Kohler natural gas generator. Constructed and installed by Faith Technologies, the microgrid will test and use advanced energy management and control software by Schneider Electric to optimize shifting energy resources, conservation and costs. Their goal is to maximize sustainability, reliability and efficiency for a microgrid. For Bubolz, the zero net energy project is in keeping with their mission and provides a unique education opportunity for students that visit. Microgridknowledge