by Brianna Crandall — November 4, 2015—Global diversified technology company Johnson Controls has been selected to bring its world-class battery technology and building systems expertise to the growing energy storage market by installing distributed energy storage technology in Chicago’s iconic Merchandise Mart, said to be the world’s largest commercial building and wholesale design center and home of the annual NeoCon contract furnishings show.
This represents one of a number of energy storage projects in development by Johnson Controls for customers across North America.
Identifying the need to install a distributed energy storage system through its partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Program (EDF), the Merchandise Mart chose to partner with Johnson Controls to enhance its energy storage capabilities.
The Merchandise Mart has relied on Johnson Controls’ Integrated Demand Resources Group for many years to generate energy savings through multiple demand response programs. Leveraging this new energy storage solution, the Merchandise Mart will be able to participate in advanced fast-response programs such as frequency regulation to adjust demand in response to changing conditions on the electric grid.
Johnson Controls’ Active Load Management strategy coupled with distributed energy storage, which is being used by the Merchandise Mart, has the potential to reduce a facility’s annual electric spend up to 35 percent, says the company.
Encompassing 4.2 million square feet and hosting nearly 25,000 people each day, the Merchandise Mart is already the world’s largest LEED EB (Existing Buildings) certified building, the benchmark recognition awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council for energy efficiency, points out Johnson Controls.
