News Synopsis
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name – ABB NASCAR Grid Control.
Developer – ABB and NASCAR.
Project Type – BESS-backed temporary microgrid and fan experience.
Location – Naval Base Coronado, San Diego, California, United States.
Technology Used – BESS, diesel generators, ABB CogniEN™, ABB Sensorfact™, circuit breakers, power panelboards, and ABB ReliaGear® XFMR.
Project Status – Launched.
Timeline – Debuts during NASCAR San Diego Weekend presented by Anduril, June 19–21.
Power Off taker – NASCAR event operations.
Use Case – Temporary off-grid power for race operations, fan zones, pit road, grandstands, hospitality, and EV charging support.
Expected Output – Reduced diesel generator runtime, fuel use, and operational emissions through BESS-supported energy management.
Contract Details – ABB is the Official Electrification Partner of NASCAR.
ABB, a global technology company in electrification and automation, has launched ABB NASCAR Grid Control for NASCAR San Diego Weekend. The Grid Control is a fan-facing display connected with NASCAR race control and event energy management. The event, held at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, will use a temporary microgrid network without relying on the local utility grid.
ABB supplied the energy management, monitoring and temporary power technologies for the event. NASCAR used the system to support race operations, fan engagement and operational emissions tracking during the San Diego race weekend.
ABB NASCAR Grid Control gives racegoers access to live views and data linked to race operations and event energy use. The glass pod measures 20-by-8-by-18-foot and includes 11 live video feeds and data dashboards. ABB said the system allows fans to view parts of the technology environment used during a race weekend, while official monitoring, race calls and scoring remain with Official NASCAR Race Control.
The system is relevant because temporary event power can require large generator use at sports events. NASCAR said tracking energy usage supports efforts to reduce operational carbon emissions. The system gives NASCAR more detailed, zone-specific energy data to evaluate energy approaches used during the event.
The temporary energy supply for the race includes a network of microgrids similar to a local energy grid. The system combines BESS with traditional diesel generators. In this hybrid setup, BESS serves as the primary energy source, while diesel generators run only for 2–3 hours a day to charge batteries instead of operating 24 hours a day.
The microgrid network will power race and weekend operations, including pit road, fan areas and behind-the-scenes operations. ABB technology across the system tracks electricity and fuel use, allowing event teams to make real-time operational adjustments. Zone-specific monitoring covers the fan experience, operations compound, grandstands and hospitality suites.
ABB NASCAR Grid Control includes real-time energy and carbon performance dashboards enabled by ABB’s off-grid management system and intelligent asset monitoring solutions. Public data reporting will cover total carbon savings, generator fuel and carbon savings across four key areas and reduced diesel runtime through energy storage use.
ABB CogniEN™ will allow NASCAR to track energy and carbon performance by comparing BESS-generator hybrid use with a 100% diesel generator approach. ABB Sensorfact™ Smart Monitoring Sensors will track energy consumption and performance through wireless sensors and cloud-based monitoring. The monitoring solution can support temporary or permanent power and can work alone or with platforms such as ABB CogniEN™.
The race power setup also uses ABB SACE® Tmax XT Circuit Breakers and ReliaGear® OEM neXT Power Panelboards. The equipment supports flexible and relocatable temporary power distribution for building the NASCAR San Diego Qualcomm Circuit within one week. ABB ReliaGear® XFMR, with a new infrared viewing window, allows equipment testing while energized for high-stress, high-vibration relocatable power applications.
Suburban Propane, the Official Renewable Propane Partner for NASCAR San Diego Weekend, will supply renewable propane for event concessions and generators used for attendee EV chargers. The arrangement is part of NASCAR IMPACT, the platform through which NASCAR is working toward net-zero operating emissions by 2035.
ABB and NASCAR began its Electrification Innovation Partnership in 2024 with the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype. The program focuses on electric racing, event infrastructure, race vehicles and energy education. The partnership explores electric racing and electrification opportunities across events, infrastructure, race vehicles and energy education.