Resilient
Community Centers
The City of Milpitas is simultaneously increasing the resiliency and sustainability of the Milpitas Community Center and the Barbara Lee Senior Center. Each building will receive a backup power system as part of the Milpitas Smart City Infrastructure Program, which will help ensure the facilities do not lose electricity in the event of a grid power outage. Milpitas will also install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the buildings’ parking lots.
Energy Conservation Measures
This part of the program involves the deployment of new microgrids at Milpitas’ Community Center and Senior Center. Each microgrid will consist of solar panels installed on rooftops and parking canopies, battery energy storage, and a natural gas backup generator. The measures will also include the installation of new EV charging stations outside the Senior Center.
Outcomes are expected to include:
Ability to open buildings as a resource or charging center during Public Safety Power Shutoff events or other power outages.
Reduction in each facility’s consumption of electricity from the grid, which will reduce energy spending.
Further cost savings as the energy storage systems reduce each facility’s peak demand.
Easily accessible charging increases EV convenience for residents and city employees.
Financial Impact
In addition to substantially reducing the external energy costs for both facilities, the projects will leverage incentives from Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) and the state’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). All told, the 10 measures that comprise the Milpitas Smart City Infrastructure Program will cumulatively yield a net financial benefit after capital expenditures (CapEx) and equipment leasing in the millions of dollars each year.
The solar arrays at the Milpitas Community Center and Barbara Lee Senior Center have been operational since November 2023! An online dashboard is now available so the public can see how much energy is generated onsite with easy-to-read, animated graphs. This local source of renewable energy reduces operating costs and helps power the buildings during utility grid outages.
What Can Residents Do?
Milpitas residents may consider EVs for their personal transportation, as the new charging stations will make electric vehicles more convenient. Residents may also consider sustainable energy in other areas of their lives such as installing solar panels and energy storage.
