
VRB Energy Storage System's commissioning marks a significant point in the deployment of large-scale electricity storage and will be used to expand onsite power generation at an agricultural processing facility.
The largest flow battery system in the world, capable of storing and delivering grid-scale power instantaneously, received permission to operate from the local utility and will begin full operation in the weeks ahead, says Prudent Energy, the manufacturer of the VRB Energy Storage System. The project’s commissioning marks a significant point in the deployment of large-scale electricity storage systems and will be used to expand onsite power generation at an agricultural processing facility in California owned by Gills Onions, a leader in sustainability, innovation, and technology.
One of the VRB system’s benefits is that it lets Gills Onions reduce utility bills by storing electricity when rates are lowest and delivering that electricity during expensive peak rate periods. Electricity rates increase in high-use periods, especially for six hours in the afternoon when the local utility, Southern California Edison, must call on peaking generators to meet demand. That additional cost of electricity production is passed to the customer via Time of Use (TOU) rates.
Although Gills Onions generates a significant portion of its own electricity, it still depends eday on the local utility. But by charging the VRB-ESS typically at night, then discharging that power during the afternoon peak period, Gills reasoned it can substantially lower its power bill each year.
Prudent Energy
www.pdenergy.com
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