Juniper Networks

As part of a large construction effort for Juniper Networks, Cupertino Electric (CEI) embarked on a series of commercial office and renewable energy projects for the company’s Silicon Valley corporate campus. CEI engineered and built a new 20,000-square-foot commercial office and lab that included a direct current (DC) plant and four 300 kVA power distribution units (PDU). Cupertino Electric also completed three renewable energy and battery storage projects over the course of several years for the high-tech giant.

Solar & Energy Storage

Work on the photovoltaic (PV) solar project system started in 2012 at Juniper’s headquarters. CEI engineered and installed a 339-kilowatt (kW) DC solar canopy system that was mounted on the fourth floor of a new parking structure. The system incorporated a unique approach, where the solar carports were welded to the garage’s precast concrete structure. A total of 1,330 PV modules were installed at the site. Because of the canopy-based design, the solar energy system provides additional shelter, increases safety with under-side LED lighting and incorporates Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations for eco-friendly employee vehicles.

As part of the scope of the solar energy project, Cupertino Electric served as the engineer of record and worked under an aggressive construction schedule, installing the system in three months to meet the general contractor’s deadline. In its first year of operation, the Juniper solar energy system was projected to generate 464,104 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy.

To get the solar project built, Juniper Networks took advantage of California Solar Incentives (CSI) and Business Solar Investment Tax Credits. The solar canopy system was one of three renewable energy projects at the Juniper site. In 2015, Juniper hired CEI to install a battery storage system that would help reduce peak demand charges. The system consisted of three STEM PowerStore towers that featured a 54-kW 90-kWh lithium-ion battery.

Cogen and Fuel Cells

Cupertino Electric also installed a cogeneration plant and four Bloom Energy fuel cells that totaled 1 megawatt (MW) of power. During the fuel cell component of the project, CEI installed the electrical infrastructure that tied the fuel cells back to the power grid. The Bloom fuel cell output was 480V, which CEI electricians stepped up to 12 kV as part of the fuel cell project scope.