Demonstration of 15 kW Silicon-Carbide enabled OCC-MORBUGs
One-Cycle Control, Inc.
Recipient
Irvine, CA
Recipient Location
37th
Senate District
73rd
Assembly District
$1,001,450
Amount Spent
Active
Project Status
Project Update
In 2025, One-Cycle Control, Inc. (OCC) completed multiple design review iterations and completed fabrication of the first renewable backup generator. OCC is expanding the factory test plan as progress is made with subsystem and system testing of the first unit. OCC has completed significant testing of system software and display content and expects to complete testing in early 2026 so that the first unit is ready for field demonstrations in 2026. OCC also created a 3-minute video of OCC-MORBUG for EPIC Symposium 2025, and it was one of only five videos selected for live showing.
The Issue
Wildfire events are causing more frequent disruption to California communities as climate change worsens. During wildfire and public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events, power outages and lack of electricity can negatively impact businesses, services, homes, schools, and emergency responses. Fossil-fuel backup generators are often used to power critical loads during these events, however, are costly, noisy, and polluting. There are very few clean energy mobile systems available in the market and almost none that are capable of providing three phase power. More renewable mobile backup generator products with greater capabilities are needed.
Project Innovation
This project designs and assembles multiple OCC Mobile Renewable Backup Generator (OCC-MORBUG) units that provide an alternative solution to traditional fossil-fuel backup generators. The OCC-MORBUG is an integrated stand-alone system that is locally self-sufficient as opposed to needing refueling. Powered by solar photovoltaics and wind coupled with onboard battery storage, the system is zero-emission, quiet, and towable to locations when and where power is needed. The system also generates single and three phase AC power as well as DC power, which is often required by industrial and commercial customers. The OCC-MORBUG has been designed to operate during PSPS events lasting 48 hours with a nameplate power rating of 15kW.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
The OCC-MORBUG uses wind, solar, and energy storage to provide a clean, mobile energy source when and where needed. The technology developed in this project reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fueled backup generators as well as protect the health of communities exposed to harmful emissions. Additional benefits from this project include increasing market availability and adoption of clean energy technologies and creating green job opportunities for low income and disadvantaged communities.
Environmental Sustainability
The OCC-MORBUG provides quiet and pollution-free backup power to limit the impacts of grid outages including from PSPS events. Based on an estimated avoided 1,300 gallons of gasoline use at approximately 20 pounds of CO2 per gallon, the OCC-MORBUG could reduce emissions by around 26,000 pounds (13 Tons) of CO2 per year per unit. The OCC-MORBUG is also much quieter than a fossil-fuel generator, reducing noise pollution.
Economic Development
Using MORBUG systems is expected to reduce cost compared to using a fossil-fuel generator that requires a continuous supply of costly fossil fuel and multiple fuel-burning trips to refuel. It is estimated that the avoided grid electricity usage during PSPS events is 2,880 kWh/year and non-PSPS events is 10,000 kWh/year for a total of 12,880 kWh/year resulting in a net saving of $1,932. Avoided fuel consumption of ~1,288 gallons with net saving of $6,000.
Energy Security
The OCC-MORBUG carrier is the first to provide clean energy for single, three-phase loads, plus DC loads with zero-emission for mobile back up. The OCC-MORBUG carrier is based on Silicon-Carbide-enabled OCC-4 wire inverter technology to achieve high efficiency, high reliability, high power density, and high flexibility of loading. The OCC-MORBUG carrier features a rugged design for on/off-highway and dirt road, on-board PV, and wind for quick deployment.
Equity
OCC-MORBUGs would create opportunities for low-income (LI) & disadvantaged communities (DAC) groups. Out of 5 secured sites, 4 are located in LI and 2 are located DAC communities. Furthermore, subcontractor Chula Vista Electric pursues outreach to high schools particularly in LI/DAC communities and encourages their pursuit of electrical trades from ETI-San Diego that provides employment as part of their training. OCC is located in a LI/DAC area.
Affordability
The OCC-MORBUG is expected to reduce customer costs compared to a fossil-fuel generator that requires multiple trips to continuously resupply fuel. The project aims to achieve a five-year breakeven cost, based on avoided cost of fuel, fuel resupply, and maintenance savings.
Consumer Appeal
The OCC-MORBUG is designed for easy setup and disassembly with a display that shows real-time data and historical data for easy customer review. The display also includes a screen showing power flow and all subsystems to serve as an on-site educational focus for observers and operators to discuss system design and operation.
Reliability
The OCC-MORBUG can improve reliable access to electricity for customers during outages such as PSPS events. Furthermore, the units have few moving parts and require significantly less maintenance compared to a fossil-fuel generator that typically requires service every 100 hours of operation.
Key Project Members
Gregory T. Smedley
Subrecipients
Keyue Smedley
Chula Vista Electric
Match Partners
One-Cycle Control, Inc.
Keyue Smedley
