STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES, ENERGY
FlexGen | January 19, 2023
On January 17, 2023, FlexGen Power Systems, Inc., a top battery energy storage solution and software technology provider, announced its selection for providing energy storage software and technology for 420MW of energy storage across four locations in California to Middle River Power. The energy storage projects are located along the current simple cycle natural gas peaking plants and will have interconnected facilities.
Collocation of the natural gas peaking facilities with battery storage will significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining reliable and flexible reserve capacity. The battery facilities will be utilized to store excess carbon-free power during the day and discharge it in the evening when it is most needed, improving the use of these valuable renewable resources and providing critical ancillary services to the market. Additionally, the gas turbines will dispatch significantly less frequently than they do currently, which will result in reduced emissions, and it will continue to be available even in challenging circumstances.
FlexGen is committed to providing its customers with best-in-class service and performance to its customers who are seeking to ensure safety, resilience, and reliability in any setting where it operates. FlexGen's top HybridOS energy management system platform provides the full stack of energy storage value, which includes capacity, ancillary services, and energy market trading. The Middle River Power projects add to Flexgen's fast-growing fleet of energy storage assets, which are in use throughout the US with Investor-Owned Utilities, Independent Power Producers, and Municipal and Cooperative Utilities.
Mark Kubow, President of Middle River Power, said, "We're thrilled to work with FlexGen to bring these innovative projects to fruition, integrating additional renewable energy while enhancing a resilient grid. The energy storage assets store abundant solar energy in the middle of the day then deploy that energy to the grid during evening peak hours, while maintaining our natural gas facilities as a flexible, reliable backstop." He added, "We are excited to introduce our first tranche of projects that takes such a meaningful step in helping California in the transition to more renewable resources."
(Source: PR Newswire)
About FlexGen Systems Inc.
Founded in 2009, FlexGen Systems Inc. is one of the best-integrated energy storage solutions providers in the United States and globally, based in Durham, North Carolina. FlexGen integrates and designs software platforms and storage solutions, facilitating the current energy transition. The company integrates utility-scale storage projects with conventional and renewable forms of power generation worldwide using its cutting-edge energy management software and power electronics. The world's most technically and commercially demanding developers, government agencies, utilities, and industrial giants are among its clients and partners.
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TRANSPORTATION
Octopus Energy | February 16, 2023
Octopus Energy U.S. recently announced Intelligent Octopus for E.V., a smart-rate that will provide drivers in Texas with cheaper electricity rates when they smart-charge their electric vehicles. Customers can now pair Intelligent Octopus with their E.V.s to automatically determine the best, most cost-effective time to charge and save up to 20% on their monthly residential electricity bill.
Intelligent Octopus, powered by Octopus Energy's proprietary Kraken Technology, is a smart device management feature that incentivizes customers for helping to balance the grid during grid constraints, so long as the device is connected. By enabling customer flexibility, Octopus Energy can provide the best price electricity rates on the market.
Customers of Octopus Energy will be able to sign up and connect their electric vehicles via a mobile app that responds to multiple grid signals. By allowing Octopus Energy to smart charge their car, customers will receive a discount on their standard residential electricity rate. Intelligent Octopus will handle the necessary tasks based on the preferences set by the customer.
With widespread adoption in the U.S., Intelligent Octopus manages over 100 megawatts (M.W.) of E.V. charging power, which is greater than the largest battery on the U.K. grid. This solution is the most recent step in Octopus Energy's mission to enable a brighter and greener future throughout the United States market, which it entered in 2020. The company also recently announced that it would offer customers the option to incorporate home batteries into their energy plans. This will enable it to aggregate home batteries to establish a Virtual Power Plant and further minimize energy rates customers pay.
About Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy Group is an innovative, renewable energy retailer based in London, UK. It directly supplies approximately 4.9 million customers with 100% green electricity at a lower cost and emphasizes exceptional customer service. The company expanded in the U.S. market in 2020, creating Octopus Energy U.S. and fueling the company's global expansion. It comprises ten companies spanning six countries and three continents, including Kraken Technologies, Kraken Flex, Octopus Energy Retail, Octopus Electric Vehicles, Octopus Energy Generation, and the Octopus Centre for Net Zero. Founded in 2016, the company has a nearly $5 billion valuation and is one of the fastest-growing private energy technology companies.
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SUSTAINABILITY,ENERGY
Swell Energy | January 03, 2023
Swell Energy and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) publicly announced their agreement for Swell to serve as the aggregator for SMUD's new 'My Energy Optimizer Partner+' program, a virtual power plant effort powered by home customers.
The virtual power plant program is one of California's most advanced and inventive undertakings. It combines household solar and battery storage systems to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and make the electric grid more sustainable, resilient, and reliable. Individual solar and battery storage systems only help customers manage their own energy needs.
While the program allows customers to use their own systems with others to collect and transmit renewable energy sources to help their communities, customers who sign up for My Energy Optimizer Partner+ will get compensation, called GridRevenueTM, both upfront and over time based on the size of their solar and energy storage systems.
As more and more customers add solar panel systems and battery storage solutions, they will be able to manage their energy needs better while reducing their community's carbon footprint.
The success of programs like My Energy Optimizer Partner+ will bring additional opportunities for the local population while enabling the large-scale deployment of renewable energy and reducing the need for traditional energy sources in the area.
About Swell Energy
Swell Energy is an energy management and smart grid solutions provider, working towards the mass adoption and distribution of clean energy technologies. It empowers customers to take control of their energy use and costs, achieve energy security, and participate in the transactive grid. In addition, it offers financing and virtual power plant programs to residential owners and businesses while collaborating with reputable local solar and solar storage organization to ensure smooth and high-quality installations.
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