Schneider Electric announced that Caneros Winery (a producer and grower of premium Caneros sparkling wine and limited edition Pinot Noir wine) reduced carbon emissions last year by deploying solar microgrids, saving $70000 annually.

In the heart of Napa Valley, Caneros Winery has deployed Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Microgrid, a standardized and validated microgrid platform for managing the winery's on-site power generation. By deploying solar panels and microgrids, Caneros Winery can independently produce nearly 80% of its energy for winery operations such as fermentation, bottling, and wine tasting.

Given the significant threat posed to California's brewing industry by the increasing number of public safety power outages and extreme weather events, deploying resilient and energy-efficient microgrid solutions is crucial for the operation of breweries, "said Jana Gerber, North American President of Schneider Electric Microgrid. This system allows breweries to manage energy from solar panels, batteries, and generators, providing backup power. All of this is managed through our microgrid control, providing seamless power to the distillery

The winery manages its energy usage through Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor software platform, which uses artificial intelligence to monitor the on-site distributed energy (DER) generation. The deployment of microgrids has doubled the power generation of Domaine Carneros compared to the solar system originally installed by the winery 20 years ago. Excess solar energy is stored in on-site batteries for use at night or during power outages, while backup generators can provide additional energy when solar energy is unavailable.

Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros, said, "Our ability to produce the highest quality wine and create the most unforgettable wine experience depends on reliable and efficient energy. With Schneider Electric's advanced microgrid technology, we are able to completely transform our energy infrastructure and maximize the use of renewable energy. This is crucial for maintaining our operations during times when power outages due to wildfires and severe weather are becoming increasingly common

The microgrid enables Caneros Winery to be completely self-sufficient during power outages. It allows wineries to connect and disconnect from the power grid, allowing for operation in "island mode" with batteries storing energy for emergency use. If the power grid experiences a power outage or electricity prices reach their peak, microgrids will respond by providing continuous power supply during the outage and helping to avoid excessive electricity demand costs during peak hours.

Schneider Electric collaborated with the PowerFlex division of EDF Renewables to design a microgrid. PowerFlex provides power infrastructure to integrate solar energy and battery storage systems.