The AiON-ESS Energy Series all-in-one energy storage system is seeing its first commercial deployment, according to a June 2023 press release from LS Energy Solutions, a Charlotte, N.C.-based provider of grid-connected energy storage solutions.

In partnership with Strata Clean Energy, a nationwide provider focused on utility-scale clean energy projects based in Durham, N.C., LS will operate the AiON-ESS units for a New England utility with the goal of providing peak shaving. Utility customers will be able to avoid using grid power during peak demand periods. Instead, they can access energy stored in the AiON-ESS units.

 The project involves 12 UL 9540-certified AiON-ESS enclosures that are split between two 4.99-megawatt (MW)/10-megawatt-hour (MWh) projects. Each unit is rated at 0.83 MW/0.2 MWh (nominal AC). Through these projects, Strata will also have the ability to participate in the ISO New England wholesale power market for additional savings.

“We’re thrilled to announce the first commercial installation of the AiON-ESS Energy Series,” said Steve Fludder, president and CEO of LS Energy Solutions. “The deployment with Strata Clean Energy shows how the AiON-ESS enables peak shaving for asset owners and utilities, which benefits the utility’s customers. We’re pleased to be working with fellow clean energy partners in Strata, and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”

Peak shaving means reducing the amount of energy purchased from the utility company during peak hours of demand. Also referred to as load shedding, it involves the customer reducing demand for and consumption of power when demand—and price—is high. Similarly, load shifting occurs when a short-term decrease in energy consumption during peak hours is followed by increased production later, when demand and price are lower. Leveling out the peaks in electricity usage can result in significant savings.

This deployment is one of the first storage projects to benefit from the Investment Tax Credit for standalone energy storage under the Inflation Reduction Act since its expansion of ITC eligibility.

Although it’s the first commercial deployment of the AiON-ESS Energy Series, there have been earlier installations of the Power Series, which is capable of storage for one-hour durations in a 1-MW/1-MWh block, in New Jersey and Maryland. The Energy Series is capable of two- to six-hour duration in units that can scale up to 3 MWh.

Both series provide scalable all-in-one AC energy storage, combining batteries from Tier-1 suppliers, LS Energy Solutions’ modular string inverters and required cooling in one containerized unit. Having an energy storage system that includes all the components in one package benefits developers and utilities.

“With the units supplied by LS Energy Solutions, we’re able to help our utility partner meet its clean energy goals and build a smarter grid,” said Joshua Rogol, president of Strata Clean Energy. “The AiON-ESS Energy Series makes a great addition to our battery storage portfolio.”