New Wisconsin Middle School Expects Big Savings with Renewable Microgrid
When the brand new Maplewood Intermediate/Middle School opens in Menasha, WI, next year, it will be home to the largest renewable energy microgrid of its kind in the state, its developers say.
The 1.3 MW solar and energy storage microgrid is expected to save the Menasha Joint School District (MJSD) $190,000 in energy costs annually.
Maplewood Intermediate/Middle School is being built from the ground up with sustainability in mind. In addition to the microgrid, MJSD will employ advanced energy conservation strategies at the facility to help meet regional carbon neutrality goals.
"One major goal for the district was to ensure our new facility was an energy efficient and sustainable model conserving taxpayer dollars and natural resources," said Brian Adesso, director of business services at Menasha Joint School District.
Located about 35 miles south of Green Bay on the shores of Lake Winnebago, the school will serve approximately 1,000 students when it opens in 2025.
Microgrid will fully power the all-electric school
The microgrid, which will include solar PV panels, energy storage and natural gas generators, is expected to provide enough carbon-friendly electricity to fully power Maplewood, the state’s second net zero, all-electric school. The first was an elementary school that opened in 2020 near Madison.
MJSD partnered with Eaton to design the microgrid and select equipment for the project, which will feature the intelligent power management company’s microgrid controller and battery energy storage system. The technologies will give the district the ability to reduce energy costs by managing where and how electricity is consumed, maintaining uptime and maximizing consumption of power generated by the on-site solar array.
“This project is a prime example of how sustainable electrification can support a stronger and greener future. We’re confident our proven expertise and clean energy management solutions will provide long-term value for the region, school district and environment,” said Nelly Maximous, vice president of energy transition sales at Eaton.
School microgrids provide resilience, clean energy
School districts across the country are increasingly investing in microgrids to bolster resilience and reduce both emissions and energy costs.
The Match High School and Career Center site in Indianapolis was recently awarded a $5.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools program for a combined 165-kw solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system.
In 2023, the DOE program announced that 24 local education agencies would share a $178 million grant for infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of several microgrids.
Maximizing federal tax incentives
In Wisconsin, the Maplewood system was designed to meet the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) domestic content requirements, enabling the MJSD to apply for bonus tax credits and maximize the value of the microgrid.
The IRA allows qualified energy projects to receive up to a 10% bonus tax credit for using domestically manufactured products and materials.
Campus Microgrids have been part of the content at the Microgrid Knowledge Conference for years. The next MGK Conference 2025 is April 15-17 in Dallas.
