ENGIE deploys battery storage for Calif. school district

ENGIE Storage and Downey Unified School District, Calif., officials said on Aug. 8 that efforts are underway to install and deploy 3.5 MW/ 7 MWh of battery energy storage systems at the schools.

The scope of work involves ENGIE Storage using its GridSynergy software at seven school sites throughout the district. Downey Unified’s use of the battery storage systems will cut its electricity bills by reducing demand charges, which are assessed based on spikes in electricity usage caused by air conditioning and stadium lighting, as two examples, at three high schools, one middle school and three elementary schools.

“ENGIE Storage has energy storage systems installed at 80 schools in California,” Christopher Tilley, ENGIE Storage CEO, said. “Downey Unified’s installation will not only save the district millions of dollars, but it will help enhance the reliability of California’s electric grid by reducing the strain on overloaded utility distribution networks.”

The firm’s GridSynergy system is a comprehensive, software-driven energy storage solution, with cloud-based software drawing
on historical and real-time data to calculate optimal charge and discharge cycles for the lithium-ion batteries. The GridSynergy system will continually adapt to the district’s energy needs.

It is anticipated that Downey Unified will save more than $5.7 million over the lifetime of the system, which was funded through the use of Proposition 39 dollars.