ENGIE Storage and Downey Unified School District [Downey, Calif.] announced the installation and deployment of 3.5 MW/ 7 MWh of battery energy storage systems that ENGIE Storage will operate using its GridSynergy software at seven school sites throughout the district. Downey Unified's use of the battery storage systems will cut its electricity bills by reducing demand charges, which are assessed based on spikes in electricity usage caused by air conditioning and stadium lighting, as two examples, at three high schools, one middle school, and three elementary schools. California typically has the highest demand charges in the U.S. and average demand charges by California Investor Owned Utilities have increased, on average, nearly 80 percent over the past decade. Demand charges can account for approximately 50 percent of non-residential utility bill costs for consumers in California. Downey Unified is expected to save more than $5.7 million over the lifetime of the system, which was funded through the use of Proposition 39 dollars.

"Our Board of Education is always looking for creative ways to save money and energy storage will provide our district with utility cost savings," said Downey Unified Superintendent Dr. John Garcia. "Installing energy storage will not only reduce our energy bills significantly this year, it will assist for years to come."

ENGIE Storage's GridSynergy system is a comprehensive, software-driven energy storage solution. The GridSynergy cloud-based software draws on historical and real-time data to calculate optimal charge and discharge cycles for the lithium-ion batteries. GridSynergy will continually adapt to the district's energy needs.

"ENGIE Storage has energy storage systems installed at 80 schools in California," said Christopher Tilley, chief executive officer at ENGIE Storage. "Downey Unified's installation will not only save the district millions of dollars, but it will help enhance the reliability of California's electric grid by reducing the strain on overloaded utility distribution networks."

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