Xcel Energy and Gundersen partner for 100% resilient and renewable energy campus

Xcel Energy and Gundersen Health System have signed an agreement to create one of the first 100% resilient and renewable energy healthcare campuses in the United States.

Through Xcel Energy’s EMPOWER Resiliency, Gundersen will build an all-renewable energy microgrid on the health system’s Onalaska Campus. The microgrid will combine a new battery energy storage system with Gundersen’s existing solar panels and energy generated through a longtime partnership with the La Crosse County Landfill for even greater sustainability and resiliency during power grid outages.

What is a microgrid?
A microgrid is a local electrical grid with defined boundaries, like the Gundersen Onalaska Campus. It can operate connected to the larger energy grid, or “island” and be controlled and function independently. 

Xcel Energy is the first utility in Wisconsin to offer a comprehensive program to support microgrids and other resiliency projects for large business customers and governmental entities who require a higher-than-standard service reliability. The program allows customers like Gundersen to choose resiliency options to best meet their critical needs.

"Safe and reliable power delivery to our customers is at the heart of Xcel Energy's business," said Karl Hoesly, president, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin and Michigan. "We recognize that some of our major commercial and industrial customers have exceptional resiliency needs to maintain their operations. With the EMPOWER Resiliency program, we are proud to help Gundersen achieve their resiliency, sustainability and other energy-related goals."

Gundersen is a national leader in healthcare sustainability practices and the first healthcare system in the United States to produce more energy than it consumes 10 years ago. Gundersen is committed to partnerships like EMPOWER Resiliency to help ensure care is accessible, costs are lowered through energy savings, and innovative investment and development are the expectation across the system.

"We are excited to be partnering with Xcel Energy on this innovative project. This is something rarely seen in healthcare. It’s happening right here in Onalaska on a campus that is an innovation center for Gundersen,” says Alan Eber, Director of Gundersen Envision, the health system’s sustainability program. “This is a groundbreaking chance for a utility and a health system to come together to lower costs and create a more resilient campus for patient and community care.”

"Future viability depends on being prepared for change and resilient in the face of it,” shares Bill Farrell, Chair of the Gundersen Envision Board of Directors and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer for Bellin and Gundersen Health System. “This project builds on years of innovative sustainability leadership at Gundersen and tens of millions of dollars in savings for the people we serve. It helps fortify one of our largest campuses to allow continuous care and great experience. And it shows the necessity of partnerships for success. This is a big win for our region and for the future of sustainable healthcare."

The Onalaska Campus microgrid project design phase is underway. The project is expected to be complete in 2025.