Microgrid Technology Powers Caterpillar's Tucson Proving Ground
Caterpillar's largest Proving Ground in North America, located in Tucson, Arizona, was completely off grid and relied 24 hours a day, seven days a week on three Cat C15 diesel generator sets to power the facility. In 2016, Caterpillar decided to use the location to demonstrate the real-world value of its microgrid technology. Given that solar energy has become a cost-effective energy choice, Caterpillar installed a 500 kW solar array and energy storage system at its Tucson Proving Ground. The integrated system is expected to reduce fuel consumption by 33 percent.