Gordon Bubolz Lodge

The Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, Wisconsin, is a vital 700-acre environmental education center, offering trails, educational programs, and event facilities at its Lodge. As a cornerstone for nature conservation and environmental stewardship, the Lodge faced the challenge of ensuring reliable and efficient power for its operations while upholding its core mission of sustainability. The need for energy resilience, particularly during grid interruptions, combined with a commitment to minimize environmental impact through quiet, clean energy generation, became paramount for this environmentally-minded site.

To meet these objectives, a sophisticated microgrid system was implemented at the Gordon Bubolz Lodge. Vergent supplied a 65 kW Capstone microturbine for this innovative project, a key component within the comprehensive energy solution. This microturbine is designed for ultra-quiet operation and a low emissions profile, perfectly aligning with the Preserve’s natural setting.

The microgrid is managed by a central controller that intelligently integrates power from multiple sources:

200 kW AC Solar-PV Generation: Harnessing solar energy when available.
65 kW Microturbine: Burning natural gas or biogas to generate both electricity and heat, with its operation adjusted by the controller to meet demand. Its recovered heat efficiently warms the building.
Electrolyzer: Using electricity to produce hydrogen from water.
25 kW Fuel Cell: Consuming hydrogen to provide power when other sources are insufficient.
100 kW / 420 kWh Battery: Providing instantaneous power storage and discharge, optimizing system efficiency and acting as a bridge during transitions.
EV Charging Stations: Connecting electric vehicles to the microgrid for recharging.
Crucially, the Vergent-supplied microturbine is capable of both grid-connected operation and generating electricity independently (island mode), ensuring continuous power even during outages.

Results: The integrated system, with the Capstone microturbine operating as the microgrid backbone, ensures uninterrupted power for the Lodge’s critical functions and visitor comfort, even when the grid is down. The microturbine’s quiet operation and low emissions profile directly support the Preserve’s ecological values, allowing the Lodge to function as a living demonstration of sustainable energy practices. By optimizing various energy sources and utilizing waste heat, the microgrid significantly enhances the Lodge’s overall energy efficiency, reduces its environmental footprint, and strengthens its commitment to sustainable progress for generations to come.