Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced Domaine Carneros, grower-producer of ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wine and limited-production pinot noirs, reduced its carbon emissions last year by 375 metric tons of CO₂ through the deployment of a microgrid, while saving more than $70,000 on annual energy costs.

In the heart of Napa Valley, Domaine Carneros has deployed Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Microgrid, a standardized, validated microgrid platform that manages the winery's on-site energy generation. Through its deployment of solar arrays and the microgrid, Domaine Carneros self-generates 70% to 80% of its energy for winery operations such as fermentation, bottling, and wine tastings.

"Deploying a resilient and energy-efficient microgrid solution has been critical to the winery's operations in light of an increasing number of Public Safety Power Shutoffs and extreme weather events that have posed significant threats to the winemaking industry in California," said Jana Gerber, North American President of Microgrids for Schneider Electric. "The system allows the winery to manage energy from its solar array, battery, and generator, providing backup power. All of this is managed through our microgrid controls, which allows for seamless power to be provided to the winery."

The winery manages its energy usage through Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor software platform, which uses AI to monitor energy generation from the on-site Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The deployment of the microgrid doubled Domaine Carneros' energy generation capacity over the solar system that the winery originally installed 20 years ago. Excess solar energy is stored in the on-site battery for use at night or during a power outage, and the backup generator is available to provide additional energy when solar power isn't available.

"Our ability to craft the highest quality wines and create the most memorable wine experiences is dependent on a reliable and efficient source of energy," said Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros. "With Schneider Electric's advanced microgrid technology, we've been able to revolutionize our energy infrastructure and maximize our renewable energy use. At a time when power outages are becoming more common, due to wildfires and severe weather, this has been critical to keeping our operations online."

The microgrid enables Domaine Carneros to have complete self-sufficiency during power outages. It allows the winery to connect and disconnect from the grid, allowing for operation in "island mode," with a battery storing energy for use as needed. If the power grid goes down, or electricity prices peak, the microgrid responds, providing a continuous supply of power during disruptions to the grid and helping avoid excess electricity demand charges during peak hours.

Using data points such as energy production and energy demand, the microgrid's intelligent controls software utilizes AI to apply utility tariff models, time-of-use rates, and demand charges for the benefit of the winery in real time.

The results of the microgrid include:

• Uninterrupted Operations: With 614 upgraded solar panels generating 427 kilowatts of clean energy and a microgrid enabling smooth transitions to the 250kVA battery backup or generator power, Schneider Electric's technology ensures operations at the winery, tasting rooms, and production facilities remain uninterrupted. The solar power and battery also curtail up to 70% of the generator's output to save fuel during an outage.
• Significant Solar Power: The solar panel performance at Domaine Carneros produced an impressive 740 MWh in the last year, which is the equivalent of taking 110 cars off the road for a year or saving nearly 60,000 gallons of gasoline.
• Integration of Solar-Powered EV Charging Stations: Domaine Carneros also offers four solar-powered electric car charging stations for guests, seamlessly integrating green technology into all aspects of its operations.

Schneider Electric partnered with PowerFlex, a division of EDF Renewables, to design the microgrid. PowerFlex provided the electrical infrastructure to integrate the solar power and battery storage system.

As a result of the success Domaine Carneros has achieved, the winery is being recognized as an "Impact Maker" by Schneider Electric, which was recently named the World's Most Sustainable Corporation 2025 by Corporate Knights and is the only company to rank first in the Global 100 twice. Schneider also was named last year as the World's Most Sustainable Company by TIME and Statista.

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