by Shane Henson — September 11, 2013—Ice Energy, a California-based provider of smart grid-enabled, distributed energy storage to the utility industry, recently announced full deployment of a regional energy storage program contributing capacity toward Southern California Edison’s state-mandated 50 megawatts (MW) of energy storage.
As part of the program, Ice Energy has supplied 33 Ice Bears to meet the summer peak air-conditioning demand with clean, green capacity at nine commercial and industrial customer sites. Program participants bought the units directly from Ice Energy, the company says.
The Ice Bear system is an intelligent distributed energy storage solution that works in conjunction with commercial direct-expansion (DX) air-conditioning systems, specifically the refrigerant-based, 4- to 20-ton packaged commercial rooftop and split systems common to most small to mid-sized commercial buildings, as well as ductless units from 3 to 5 tons. The system stores energy at night, when electricity generation is cleaner, more efficient and less expensive, and delivers that energy during the peak of the day to provide cooling to the building.
Together, Ice Energy program participants have received more than $627,000 in total rebates through HVAC Optimization Energy Efficiency Program rebates sponsored by Southern California Edison. The average investment per customer was $139,965, and the average total rebate per customer was $69,670, says Ice Energy.
“The Ice Bears have received a lot of appreciation from customers this summer,” said Ice Energy EVP of Market Development Greg Miller. “We’re seeing a greater understanding of the role Ice Energy storage can play in delivering affordable, clean capacity to run those air conditioners we all rely on.”
