Intelligent Generation is proud to announce a significant milestone: the signing of a long-term optimization services agreement for a 15,417 KW / 30,835 KWH battery energy storage (BESS) project for the Medical Center Company (MCCo) in Cleveland, Ohio. This substantial agreement represents IG’s largest battery storage deployment to date and marks our inaugural project in the state of Ohio.
MCCo, a vital cooperative district utility, provides essential services of steam, chilled water, and electricity to a critical network of institutions, including Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Musical Arts Association, The Church of the Covenant, Cleveland Medical Library Association, and the Cleveland Institute of Art. This partnership will significantly enhance their ability to provide reliable and cost-effective energy. Already a leader in environmental stewardship, MCCo has 1.2 MW of existing solar on its electric system.
This landmark deal underscores the robust economics and inherent value that Intelligent Generation’s solutions deliver, particularly within a challenging market landscape. We successfully secured this substantial project amidst a complex political climate and volatile electricity prices. Our success in this environment is directly attributable to the unparalleled capabilities of Intelligent Generation’s proprietary software.
In a market where every investment dollar must yield maximum returns, our software proves to be a decisive factor. It functions as the economic engine that unlocks exceptional value in battery storage projects. Our approach empowers MCCo, and can benefit any solar-plus-battery storage initiative, through:
- Precision Peak Forecasting: Our advanced algorithms accurately predict peak demand periods, enabling MCCo to strategically discharge stored energy when wholesale electricity prices are highest. This capability transforms potential liabilities into valuable assets.
- Wholesale Market Participation: Intelligent Generation’s platform expertly navigates complex wholesale energy markets, allowing the battery to participate in various grid services and generate additional revenue streams. This active market engagement significantly enhances project profitability.
- Intelligent Battery Dispatch: Beyond basic charge-and-discharge functionalities, our software dynamically optimizes the battery’s operation in real-time. By considering market signals, weather patterns, and MCCo’s specific energy demands, it ensures the battery consistently performs at its highest economic potential.
- Comprehensive Cost & Revenue Optimization: Ultimately, our software is engineered to deliver superior financial outcomes. It meticulously analyzes data to minimize MCCo’s exposure to volatile transmission and capacity prices (which have seen a dramatic nine-fold increase in the PJM zone recently!), while concurrently maximizing revenue generation. This strategy establishes a compelling payback period.
Beyond the significant economic advantages, this 15 MW / 30 MWh battery storage project will also deliver substantial grid benefits. Battery storage helps the power grid in several critical ways:
- Meeting Peak Demand: Battery storage can absorb excess energy from the grid, particularly during off-peak hours when baseload power sources are abundant. This stored energy can then be dispatched during peak demand periods, helping to meet the growing demand for power from increasing manufacturing and data center loads.
- Increase Renewable Energy Integration: While this project is not directly co-located with solar, the battery’s presence on the grid enhances the grid’s overall flexibility. This makes it easier to integrate more intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the broader energy mix in the future, as the grid becomes more capable of storing and deploying clean power as needed.
- Lower Carbon Emissions: By optimizing energy dispatch and reducing the need for fossil fuel-intensive generation during peak times, the battery directly contributes to a measurable reduction in CO2 emissions associated with MCCo’s electricity consumption. This marks a meaningful step forward in decarbonizing the energy supply for Cleveland’s critical institutions.
We are proud to collaborate with MCCo and the accomplished project team, which includes Convergence Energy, NEI Electric Power Engineering, Scheeser Buckly Mayfield, and Ullman Electric, with expert tax advice from Ernst & Young and DLA Piper. This collaboration highlights our commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-value solutions.
This 15 MW / 30 MWh project in Cleveland makes a strong statement. It signifies Intelligent Generation’s proven ability to deliver substantial impact and confirms that our software and services are critical for rendering large-scale battery storage projects exceptionally viable, profitable, and environmentally beneficial across diverse market conditions.