Green Charge to deliver megawatt-scale commercial storage system for California college

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email

Image: Green Charge.
A liberal arts college in California will get a 1MW/2MWh energy storage system from Green Charge that could save the facility US$800,000 over its lifetime.

Pacific Union College is expected to net the savings over a 10-year agreement by reducing its demand charges, which are levied onto commercial and industrial users of electricity in the US based on their use of power during peak times. The system will also participate in demand response programmes hosted by utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to generate revenues.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The system will be controlled by Green Charge’s GridSynergy software, with the company touting its software as one of its strong points. Algorithms customised to the Pacific Union College unit will control discharge of the batteries to avoid causing spikes in the amount of power drawn from the grid. The batteries will recharge during off-peak hours at cheaper rates for electricity.

“While our main motivation for installing energy storage is saving money through peak demand shaving, we are pleased that energy storage is a way to enhance the reliability and performance of our power supply,” Pacific Union College facilities director Dale Withers said.

“Commercial energy storage is a viable solution to provide quality power to our customers located toward the end of distribution lines while providing substantial savings,” Vic Shao, CEO of Green Charge said.

Green Charge has since May of last year been majority-owned by utility giant ENGIE (formerly GDF Suez). Other recent projects announced by the company include an aggregated 13MWh ‘virtual power plant’ for utility Con Edison in New York. Another California project by Green Charge, for a community housing complex and business park, will deliver savings of up to US$1.8 million over 10 years from a 1MW system.

Read Next

July 16, 2025
London Stock Exchange-listed Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (GSF) has entered into an agreement to sell its investment tax credits (ITCs) for the Big Rock energy storage project in California, US.
Premium
July 16, 2025
California community choice aggregator Ava Community Energy’s new BESS offtake agreements with EDP Renewables incorporate measures to share policy risks.
July 10, 2025
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has entered into a settlement agreement with IPP LS Power to direct cleanup after a lithium-ion battery fire at the company’s Gateway energy storage facility in San Diego, California. 
Premium
July 9, 2025
Coval Infrastructure has become the latest developer to submit an application with the California Energy Commission (CEC), as part of the regulator’s opt-in certification scheme.
July 7, 2025
Avantus has raised more than US$500 million for 200MW/500MWh Aratina 1 BESS project in Kern County, California.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter