Stem, Inc., a provider in commercial-scale intelligent energy storage services, has completed testing on its customer-sited storage fleet installed for Hawaiian Electric Company.
Stem integrates reliable energy storage hardware with predictive, cloud-based analytics in real time.
The storage fleet currently provides 1 MW of intelligent storage services across 29 customer sites to accommodate more renewable energy resources on the O‘ahu grid. Extensive testing confirms that Stem’s software-driven storage acts as a virtual power plant (VPP) to manage diverse load shapes and site characteristics to serve the utility’s real-time needs.
“These customer-sited solutions strengthen Hawaiian Electric’s renewable planning as we build toward our commitment to a 100% clean energy future,” said Dora Nakafuji, Hawaiian Electric’s director of renewable energy planning.
Stem’s data analytics software incorporates weather forecasts and historical, real-time usage data to predict when electric use will peak at a given site. The system rapidly and automatically responds to spikes in electricity use, drawing on stored power to reduce costs for customers without requiring operational changes.
Customers receive access to Stem’s PowerScope, which includes real-time site energy visualization, forecasts, and costs. Stem combines this information with data from Hawaiian Electric’s renewable generation monitoring and forecasting so the utility can effortlessly call upon the stored electricity for added stability during solar generation variability and peak demand times.
“This shows we can scale behind-the-meter energy storage to create a more stable and efficient grid as we provide customers with higher levels of renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Nakafuji.
Most of the systems are installed in family-operated and kama‘aina (or “long-time in Hawai‘i”) commercial firms, small businesses, and institutions. Customers are using Stem technology to reduce their energy costs and integrate their own renewable systems.
“Hawaiian Electric and the Energy Excelerator are speeding the adoption of cutting-edge energy technology to benefit the people of Hawai‘i, the environment, and the grid,” said Tad Glauthier, Stem VP of Hawai‘i operations. “The rest of the nation is looking at Hawai‘i as a leader in renewables and grid modernization, and Stem is proud to be a part of this important transformation.”
Filed Under: Energy storage, News, O&M
