The State University of Campinas (Unicamp) has launched the CampusGrid microgrid with battery energy storage system (BESS) on its Barão Geraldo campus in Campinas, São Paulo.
The facility integrates a 565 kW solare system with a 1 MW BESS, offering up to two hours of autonomy. In case of prolonged outages, a natural gas generator ensures 250 kVa until normal production resumes.
The battery energy storage system (BESS) costs BRL 45.3 million ($7.7 million), developed with CPFL Energia, is part of Brazil's National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) Research and Development Program. It brings together researchers from the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), the Advanced Institute of Technology and Innovation (IATI), and the China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI).
"The CampusGrid microgrid, the largest university-based microgrid solar battery storage in Latin America and the Caribbean, covers an area of 144,000 m² and combines innovative elements such as renewable and non-renewable energy generation, battery storage, smart metering and an autonomous control center that allows it to operate disconnected from the main grid," said Unicamp Prof. Luiz Carlos Silva. "This ability to operate independently is especially crucial in cases of blackouts, increasing resilience to extreme weather events."
The model boosts both sustainability and energy efficiency while delivering direct economic benefits. With PV generation alone, Unicamp expects to save around BRL 450,000 per year on its electricity bill.
The microgrid powers facilities such as the Multidisciplinary Gymnasium, Physical Education College, and the Central César Lattes and Rare Works libraries.
