Members of the Yolo County Board of Education, County Superintendent Garth Lewis, Supervisor Angel Barajas, and staff pose during the groundbreaking for the Schools Resiliency and Sustainability Project at the Yolo County Office of Education in Woodland. Photo courtesy of the Yolo County Office of Education

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - The Yolo County Office of Education (Yolo COE) launched its groundbreaking Schools Resiliency and Sustainability Project, marking a significant milestone in sustainable education practices. After five years of planning, Yolo County Office of Education became the first County Office of Education in the United States to advance a plan to operate its own independent microgrid. The move reaffirms its commitment to fostering resilience and sustainability in schools.

On Friday, Aug. 23, the Yolo County Office of Education held a groundbreaking event to mark the official launch of the estimated $4.8 million project. The project will be implemented at six locations and involves a comprehensive plan with 12 significant energy conservation measures and improvements. By implementing these innovative solutions, the Yolo County Office of Education seeks to ensure an uninterrupted power supply, reduce its carbon footprint, and provide valuable learning opportunities for students about renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

“This project will not only move our County Office of Education toward complete sustainability in how we consume energy, but it will also save us millions of dollars in the long term,” said Garth Lewis, Yolo County Superintendent. “The project aligns with our vision to be a model of excellence in educational service, innovation, and impact.”

Once completed, the Yolo County Office of Education estimates the sustainability project will generate net savings in energy costs of more than $7 million over 20 years and nearly $10 million over the life of the system. The project is projected to be completed by 2026.

Central to the project is the construction of an independent microgrid, a small-scale power grid that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid. Once completed, the independent microgrid will enhance energy resilience by providing backup power during outages, reduce electricity costs through optimized energy management, and promote environmental sustainability by integrating renewable energy sources such as solar power.

To complete the project, the Yolo County Office of Education partnered with Syserco Energy Solutions to design a microgrid system that includes renewable solar energy, a battery energy storage system, and advanced energy management technology, tailored to meet the unique needs of Yolo County Office of Education’s facilities.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Yolo County Office of Education on this innovative project,” said Scott Meinzen, Vice President at Syserco Energy Solutions. “This microgrid will not only provide reliable, clean energy but will also set a precedent for other educational institutions across the state and beyond.”

“It is a testament to Yolo COE's leadership in adopting innovative solutions that benefit both the environment and the community,” Meinzen continued. “Together, we are creating a model for how educational facilities can achieve energy independence and sustainability, thus paving the way for a greener future.”

The project also includes the installation of state-of-the-art solar arrays at three designated sites in Yolo County, including the Santa Anita administrative building located in Woodland. The project also includes the installation of four electric vehicle charging stations at the county office of education.

Once completed, the project will ensure uninterrupted power supply to Yolo County Office of Education’s various facilities and school sites and moves the agency toward net-zero energy usage for its buildings.

“Our sustainability project encapsulates more than just an upgrade; it’s a leap into the future of energy efficiency and a greener world,” said Matthew Juchniewicz, Yolo County Office of Education’s director of support operations services. “By extending the life of HVAC systems and preparing for the shift to electric vehicles, we ensure that our facilities remain cutting-edge and sustainable.”

Juchniewicz stated, “Our commitment to electrification is about more than just energy – it's about setting a standard for operational excellence and anticipating the needs of tomorrow.”

From left are Deputy Superintendent Maria Arvizu-Espinoza, former Trustee Carol Souza Cole, Project Manager Ray Lippincott, County Superintendent Garth Lewis, Director of Support Operations Services Matthew Juchniewicz, Vice President Armando Salud Ambriz, Associate Superintendent Veronica Coronado, Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas, Syserco Energy Solutions Vice President Scott Meinzen. Photo courtesy of the Yolo County Office of Education

In addition to the microgrid installation, the Schools Resiliency and Sustainability Project includes 12 measures to significantly improve Yolo County Office of Education’s energy infrastructure, including the replacement and electrification of HVAC units that would be powered through the microgrid output, automated energy systems and controls, and technology designed to improve indoor environments including the installation of Carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors to improve classroom air quality.

“The Yolo County Office of Education is the very first county office of education in the state and country to leverage tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to transition to sustainable, resilient, efficient, cost-effective infrastructure,” said Stephanie Seidmon, Program Director for UndauntedK12, a national nonprofit supporting climate action in public schools. “We believe that their innovation and leadership will inspire more schools to use this uncapped, noncompetitive funding source to drive sea change and are excited about the cascading benefits this project will bring to Yolo County and beyond.”

“It is staggering to think that this sustainability project could result in the reduction of greenhouse gas emission that is equivalent to saving 560 acres of U.S. forestland in just one year,” said Lewis. “I am immensely proud of the positive impact this will have on students, educators, and our broader community.”

For more information about the Schools Resiliency and Sustainability Project and other initiatives by the Yolo County Office of Education, please visit www.ycoe.org.