"Tesla and Elon Musk will have nothing on us," says Ha Nguyen, Senior Resource Specialist in the Engineering Services Group, who secured a $7.75 million State grant for BESS -- the district's Battery Energy Storage System project.
Once installed, BESS will provide an edge for peak load management and energy price arbitration. Currently planned for Jensen, Skinner, Weymouth and an Orange County pump station, the battery projects will be installed in a micro-grid configuration to ensure seamless operation of the treatment plants in the event of a utility system outage. The micro-grid will also integrate power supplies from both on-site solar and emergency diesel generators.
Hired in 2002, Ha hails from Montreal and joined the district's solar program in 2009. She quickly provided her expertise and dedication - starting with the planning and continuing to the solar panel dedications at Weymouth in 2016 and Jensen in 2018.
These projects cut the agency's carbon footprint, help protect against energy price increases, and resulted in large rebates from LADWP's Solar Incentive Program. Ha also manages the annual greenhouse gas emissions and water energy nexus metrics reporting to various reporting agencies.
A global trekker who speaks three languages, Ha enjoys traveling with her husband, John Wilson, a USC professor who teaches sustainability issues. A trip to Tibet had a huge impact on her life. "Despite the strict rules and sternly-controlled tour, the heart of the Tibetan people did shine through,” says Ha. “They are such open, kind people. It made me re-think my world view and philosophy of life."