As Kern County continues to lead California’s evolving energy landscape, Agilitech is proud to be part of the conversation shaping its future.

During Kern Energy Week, Agilitech’s Bo Jones, Renewable Project Developer, joined Mike Umbro of Californians for Energy and Science on KGET Studio 17 to discuss how integrated engineering and construction solutions are helping businesses navigate rising energy demands, improve resilience, and transition toward more sustainable operations.

From solar and battery storage to advanced infrastructure modernization, the message is clear: the future of energy in Kern County is not one-size-fits-all—it’s engineered, integrated, and built for performance.

Agilitech on Studio 17: Local Insight, Real-World Impact

In our Studio 17 segment, we highlighted how energy users across Kern County—from agriculture to industrial operations—are facing a rapidly shifting landscape:

• Increasing grid constraints
• Rising and unpredictable energy costs
• Growing demand for reliability and uptime
• Pressure to adopt cleaner, more sustainable solutions

Agilitech’s approach addresses these challenges head-on by delivering end-to-end solutions—from design and engineering to procurement, construction, and system integration.

This isn’t just about installing equipment. It’s about building energy systems that work smarter, last longer, and adapt faster.

Why Kern County Businesses Are Turning to Integrated Energy Solutions

Kern County has long been a cornerstone of the energy industry. Today, that legacy is expanding into a more diversified and resilient energy mix.

Businesses are increasingly investing in:

Solar + Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Pairing solar generation with battery storage allows facilities to:

• Reduce peak demand charges
• Maintain operations during outages
• Store and deploy energy strategically

Microgrids for Energy Independence

Microgrids provide localized control, enabling businesses to operate independently from the grid when needed—critical for uptime-sensitive operations.

Infrastructure Modernization

Upgrading legacy systems improves efficiency, safety, and scalability—while preparing facilities for future energy integration.

Agilitech brings these elements together into cohesive, fully integrated systems, eliminating the fragmentation that often slows projects and increases risk.

Built for the Way Kern County Works

Kern County’s industries don’t operate in controlled environments—they operate in real-world conditions:

• High heat
• Remote locations
• Continuous, heavy-duty demand cycles

That’s why Agilitech designs systems with durability, adaptability, and performance at the core.

Our experience across the broader energy sector uniquely positions us to deliver solutions that meet the operational realities of:

• Agriculture
• Oilfield and industrial facilities
• Commercial and manufacturing operations

From Energy Producer to Energy Innovator

Kern County isn’t just participating in the energy transition—it’s helping lead it.

Agilitech is proud to support that evolution by bridging traditional energy expertise with modern renewable and distributed energy solutions.

The result?
A smarter, more resilient energy ecosystem that supports both economic growth and long-term sustainability.

Watch the Studio 17 Feature

Catch our full conversation on KGET Studio 17 and learn how Agilitech is helping local businesses take control of their energy future.

Watch here

Let’s Build What’s Next

Whether you’re exploring solar, battery storage, or a fully integrated energy solution, Agilitech brings the engineering depth and field experience to deliver results—safely, efficiently, and at scale.

Connect with our team to start the conversation.

Kern County continues to stand at the center of California’s evolving energy landscape, and this year’s Kern EDC Energy Summit reinforced how pivotal the region will be in meeting the state’s future power needs. The Utilities Panel, featuring leaders from Southern California Edison (SCE), SoCalGas, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), offered a clear look at the challenges and opportunities ahead. Their insights point to a future defined by rapid infrastructure deployment, diversified clean energy resources, and proactive collaboration with commercial and industrial customers.

Agilitech was onsite to capture the perspectives shaping tomorrow’s energy environment. The following are the major themes and takeaways that will influence how businesses plan, invest, and operate in the coming decade.

Doubling the Speed of Grid Infrastructure Buildout

SCE highlighted one of its core priorities: accelerating the pace of grid capacity expansion. The utility is focused on improving power capacity density and deploying compact, using prefabricated substations that require only a fraction of the footprint and installation time of traditional infrastructure.

This acceleration is essential to support the surge in electrification, data center growth, and industrial development across California. SCE also emphasized the importance of leveraging customer side assets to better utilize existing infrastructure while maintaining affordability, with tools like Demand Response programs for EV charging stations.

For businesses, this signals a future where proactive planning and early coordination with utilities will be key to securing adequate power capacity.

Kern County’s Leadership in Renewable Gas and Future Hydrogen

SoCalGas underscored a point of regional importance: most of California’s renewable natural gas is produced in Kern County through biogas facilities across the San Joaquin Valley, such as CalBio and their dairy farm renewable gas plant.

Expanding this success will require open access, common carrier pipeline infrastructure that allows renewable gas and future hydrogen to move more freely throughout the state. SoCalGas shared that the technology to integrate hydrogen safely and effectively already exists, and the utility is working with regulators and policymakers to position Kern County as a hub for hydrogen enabled solutions.

For local businesses, this creates opportunities not only in clean fuel procurement but also in participating in emerging clean gas markets.

Nuclear Power and Large Hydro as Affordability Anchors

PG&E delivered one of the strongest messages of the panel. Diablo Canyon continues to generate 10 percent of the state’s electricity and remains California’s largest clean energy producer. Its output flows directly into Kern County through the Midway Substation, providing hundreds of millions of dollars in customer savings by supplying round the clock, carbon free baseload power.

With predicted load growth of more than 10 gigawatts by 2035 and 20 gigawatts by 2045, PG&E stressed the need for policies that support a diverse mix of clean energy resources, including nuclear and large hydro. This diversity is essential to maintaining affordability as the state electrifies transportation, manufacturing, and other sectors.

Planning Ahead with Customers

SCE also shared a meaningful shift in its customer engagement strategy. The utility no longer waits for businesses to submit load requests after development decisions have already been made. Instead, SCE now operates a dedicated team focused on early communication with customers and communities so they can plan infrastructure proactively.

This approach is particularly relevant for industries driving major new loads, including data centers. SCE noted that it is encouraging operators to consider distributing demand across multiple smaller sites to reduce strain on any single substation.

For Agilitech clients, this reinforces the importance of early utility communication in project planning and long term operational strategy.

Agilitech’s Take: A Call to Action for Business Leaders

PG&E closed the panel with a direct message to the business community: engage in the energy conversation. The utility encouraged leaders to advocate for common sense first energy policy, support diversified clean energy development, and gain firsthand understanding of grid infrastructure needs by visiting operating facilities.

Agilitech Renewable Project Developer, Bo Jones, echoed this message, emphasizing that Kern County’s future success depends on strengthening the conditions that allow utilities and private enterprises to build energy capacity at scale. Advocating for policy alignment, participating in industry dialogue, and supporting a mix of generation technologies are essential steps for businesses that want to drive competitive advantage through energy resilience.

What This Means for Businesses in Kern County

One theme came through clearly. The future of energy in California will require unprecedented collaboration. Utilities are investing. Policymakers are evaluating major shifts. Technologies are advancing quickly. Businesses that stay informed and engaged will be best positioned to manage risk, secure reliable power, and capitalize on opportunities created by this transformation.

At Agilitech, we are committed to helping businesses navigate complexity with clarity. Whether through custom solar and storage systems, microgrid strategies, energy planning, or EPC services, our focus remains consistent. We are dedicated to Powering Possibilities for clients across Kern County and beyond.

If your organization is evaluating its energy strategy in the face of growing grid pressures and policy complexity, let’s talk about how to Power Possibilities—custom solar + storage systems, microgrids, EPC services—all designed for commercial and industrial success in Kern County and beyond.

California’s energy landscape is changing—and not always for the better. Grid instability, driven by extreme weather, aging infrastructure, wildfire prevention shutoffs, and rising demand, has made power reliability one of the most pressing concerns for businesses.

For companies that depend on uninterrupted operations, the cost of a power outage isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s lost productivity, revenue, and customer trust. That’s where microgrid technology comes in.

At Agilitech, microgrids are more than a trend. They offer a transformative solution for California’s commercial and industrial sectors.

What is a Microgrid?

A microgrid is a localized energy system that can operate independently—or in parallel with—the traditional grid. Today’s microgrids integrates multiple energy resources, typically including:

• Solar generation to harness renewable power
• Battery storage to capture and deploy energy when needed
• Backup generation (such as natural gas or diesel) for mission-critical applications
• Energy Management Software (EMS) for real-time monitoring and load balancing

In short: a microgrid puts power back in your hands, giving you flexibility, resilience, and control.

If you’re a business leader in California facing unmanageable power costs, you are not alone. Many of our clients struggle to reclaim control of their operating costs when they first come to us for help.

What does it cost?

This is the biggest concern our clients share, but to their surprise, Microgrids after often much cheaper than staying on the grid. Every client’s needs are unique and Agilitech designs custom systems to optimize for maximum client value. If we can’t save you serious money, we tell you that upfront.

Institutional-grade financing services, previously only available to utility solar projects are part of our offering. We provide full project development and bankability reports and have a robust pipeline of capital standing by to help. There’s almost no project we can’t get off the ground.

Why Microgrids Matter in California

California is uniquely positioned to benefit from microgrid adoption:

• Wildfire-related Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS): Businesses are left in the dark, sometimes for days at a time.
• Extreme heat events: Strain on the grid leads to rolling blackouts.
• High and volatile utility rates: Already among the highest in the nation, rates continue to climb.
• Sustainability mandates: Businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints.

In this environment, energy independence isn’t a luxury—it’s a competitive necessity.

The Business Case for Microgrids

Beyond resilience, microgrids create tangible financial advantages:

• Eliminate downtime: Every hour of lost power can cost thousands—or even millions—for manufacturers, farmers, hosptials, food processors, and other industrial applications.
• Utility savings: Microgrids optimize when and how you use energy, cutting peak demand charges.
• Return on investment: Projects regularly demonstrate 28%+ internal rate of return (IRR), with payback periods of just a few years. Agilitech clients average a 3.5 year payback period and amass millions in lifetime savings.
• Long-term stability: Hedge against unpredictable utility price increases by producing and managing your own energy.

Agilitech’s Role in California’s Energy Transition

As a full-service Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partner, Agilitech brings utility-scale and over 20 years of expertise to the commercial and industrial (C&I) space. Unlike solar installers with limited capabilities, we design, engineer, and construct complete, integrated systems that align with your business goals.

Our approach includes:

• Customized design: Rooftop, carport canopy, and ground-mount arrays tailored to your site.
• Creative financing partnerships: Connecting clients with a suite of vetted caital partners for no-down-payment financing or power purchase agreements on systems of all sizes.
• Long-term reliability: Tier 1 equipment, O&M service, and a 10-year workmanship warranty backed by a company that’s been in business since 2002.

Looking Ahead: Microgrids as a Pillar of California’s Future

California is charting a path toward decarbonization and grid modernization. Microgrids play a central role—not only in ensuring reliability during disruptions but also in enabling the transition to a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy system.

For businesses, the question isn’t whether to pursue energy idependence—it’s when. Microgrids provide a proactive solution that protects your business today while positioning it for long-term resilience and sustainability.

Looking Ahead

Microgrids represent the next frontier of energy independence in California. By combining solar, storage, and smart control systems into an integrated self-sustaining system, they deliver resilience, cost control, and sustainability—all in one solution.

At Agilitech, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this shift, helping businesses across California build the energy systems of the future.

Ready to explore what a microgrid could mean for your business? Contact us to start the conversation.

Powering the Future: Agilitech’s Commitment to Energy Transformation

For over 20 years, Agilitech has been a trusted partner to Kern County’s energy producers, delivering innovative engineering solutions that drive efficiency, enhance sustainability, and ensure reliable operations. As the industry evolves, we are proud to support companies in their energy transformation—helping them adopt new technologies, reduce their carbon footprint, and maintain operational excellence.

Engineering Solutions for a Changing Industry

At Agilitech, we provide tailored engineering, construction, automation, panel fabrication services designed to help energy producers optimize their performance and stay competitive. From custom electrical systems to advanced automation and laser scanning, our solutions empower clients to increase efficiency, streamline operations, and meet evolving industry standards.

“We’ve spent more than two decades collaborating with Kern County’s energy leaders to deliver innovative, adaptable solutions. Our goal is to help companies successfully navigate today’s challenges while preparing for the future of energy.”
— Martin Alonzo, President & CEO

Supporting Energy Transformation

The energy landscape is shifting, with traditional oil and gas producers increasingly exploring renewable energy sources and greener technologies. Agilitech plays a vital role in this transformation by providing cutting-edge engineering expertise that helps clients integrate solar, battery storage, hydrogen, and biogas solutions into their operations.

Our comprehensive services—including turnkey electrical systems, maintenance, and regulatory support—enable energy producers to embrace new opportunities while maintaining safety, reliability, and compliance.

Rooted in Kern County, Focused on the Future

As a company deeply rooted in Kern County’s energy sector, Agilitech remains committed to driving local growth and innovation. By combining engineering excellence with a client-centered approach, we help energy producers adapt, thrive, and lead the charge toward a more sustainable future.

Watch the Interview:
Don’t miss Martin Alonzo’s exclusive interview on Studio 17 during Energy Week on March 18th. Learn how Agilitech is helping Kern County’s energy producers power possibilities, embrace innovation, and transform the future of energy.