Trinity Structures, Costco's electrification partner, has deployed the first off-grid electrified structures for Costco's fleet in its largest distribution center in Mira Loma, California.
This milestone represents a significant leap for fleet electrification, said Trinity Structures, because it was achieved in only four months, accomplishing design, construction, and deployment with electrified structures that create, convert, and conduct solar energy. The company said data has shown that these projects can take up to 24 months to complete.
Fleet owners grappling with growing state and federal regulations, programs like California's WAIRE Program, often wrestle with protracted timelines of electric infrastructure development, grid capacity limitations, and delay in grid-tied infrastructure, Trinity Structures said. Such challenges have driven a surge in demand for integrated electrified structures.
As part of its Climate Action Plan, Costco said it is committed to converting depot yard trucks from diesel models to alternative fuel models by 2035 and expanding on-site solar operations where feasible. To meet business and operational needs, Costco required an end-to-end electrification partner to overcome these challenges.
"These off-grid electrified structures enable our fleet to meet and exceed our Climate Action Commitments during this energy transition. The partnership with Trinity allowed for a solution that is creative, effective, operationally viable, and financially responsible,” said Shay Reed, assistant general merchandising manager for Costco Wholesale.
Trinity said it achieves unmatched speed-to-market using their electrified structures, an integrated modular ecosystem that creates energy through solar power, converts energy with inverters and batteries, and conducts energy through electric vehicle charging or backup power.
"As an end-to-end partner, we provide a single source relationship from concept design, through construction, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance,” said Darin Leonard, president of Trinity Structures.
