NASCAR's San Diego race required a mobile self-sufficent power grid
There was much about the logistics of the NASCAR weekend in San Diego that was remarkable but none greater than the fact that the power supply of all racing operations was required to be self-supplied. Since the races took place on Naval Air Station North Island, an historic active military installation, the Anduril 250 Race the Base weekend would not be permitted to compromise Air Force ... Keep…
The NASCAR weekend in San Diego featured an innovative solution to power the races due to the location on Naval Air Station North Island, a military installation. The races took place on a specially designed course around the perimeter of the base to minimize civilian disruption. ABB, in collaboration with Suburban Propane and NASCAR, developed a system of microgrids to provide the necessary power.
ABB's Chris Shigas explained that microgrids are self-contained power systems consisting of generation, transmission, and distribution. The San Diego microgrids consisted of 30 Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) paired with diesel generators. The diesel generators turned on for only two hours daily, while the BESS powered each microgrid for the remaining 22 hours to ensure efficient energy use.
This technology was adapted from NASCAR's street course events in Chicago from 2023 to 2025. NASCAR's managing director of vehicle systems, CJ Tobin, compared this setup to relocating a city to a market when extra power is required. The microgrids powered all motorsport activities for teams competing in the three national touring divisions, including pit road, fan experiences, and behind-the-scenes operations.
NASCAR aims to achieve net-zero operating emissions by 2035 and is continuously working on more sustainable practices. The sustainability efforts included reducing diesel generators and replacing them with electric power, which leads to less diesel fumes, lower fuel dependence, and reduced carbon emissions. The success of the San Diego race weekend was showcased through ABB's NASCAR Grid Control display, providing fans with real-time access to sustainability data and progress.
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