Wed, 10/09/2013 - 00:00

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (Oct. 29, 2013) – GE Energy Storage announced that it will participate in a load-shifting project at Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, Calif., a non-profit education organization. The 500-kilowatt-hour GE storage and Princeton Power Systems (PPS) inverter control system is engineered to shift 10 to 20 percent of the science center’s daily electrical load from peak hours to less expensive off-peak time periods. The system also will provide backup power in the event of power outages. Discovery Science Center expects to see an immediate reduction in its electrical bill. “As a dynamic science center, we are eager to demonstrate technologies that can reduce our energy cost while adding to the reliability of the electric grid,” said Kellee Preston, vice president of operations, Discovery Science Center. “We’ll be able to use the system to increase outreach on energy issues and better explain the benefits that storage can bring to the electric grid system.” The project is part of California’s “Permanent Load Shift” program, a statewide effort to reduce peak demand on the California electrical grid. Southern California Edison will manage the project for the science center. The winning GE Energy Storage and PPS proposal focused on the cost-effectiveness of pairing a Durathon* Energy Storage System with PPS’s advanced inverter and control system. “We have worked with Southern California Edison on past projects. In working on this RFP with GE Energy Storage, we have confidence knowing our hardware/software solution and GE’s energy storage system perform well in this type of load-shifting application,” said Ken McCauley, CEO, PPS. “The system’s reliability and multifaceted safety features also were an important factor.” “Unlike traditional, thermal-based energy storage technologies, battery-based energy storage systems can be used by a much wider range of customers,” says Prescott Logan, general manager, GE Energy Storage. “This type of project will demonstrate that battery-based load-shifting technology can enable customers to meet demand responses, as well as permanently shift a significant percentage of daily electrical loads to non-critical hours.” Logan added, “We believe there is a huge potential for solutions like the one we’ve been developing with PPS across North America and worldwide.” Both Discovery Science Center and Southern California Edison will monitor the performance of the system and use it to assess how remote storage system deployment can improve the performance of distribution networks. An Edison International company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California. For 30 years, Discovery Science Center (DSC) has been a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young minds, assisting educators teaching science and increasing public understanding of science, technology, engineering and math through interactive exhibits and programs. With one of the largest education outreach programs in the country and an unparalleled approach at creating immersive, game-based exhibits, DSC is revolutionizing how educational content is delivered. Throughout the year, guests can take the Eco Challenge and become a green superhero or feel the power of a simulated rocket engine launch. Traveling exhibits and annual events such as Spooky Science and Bubblefest throughout the year ensure that there is always something new to discover. DSC is a recipient of the 2013 Medal of Service, owns and operates the Taco Bell Discovery Science Center based in Santa Ana, Calif., and will be opening a second facility in Los Angeles in 2014. Based in New Jersey, Princeton Power Systems (PPS) is a global designer and manufacturer of technology products and embedded software for energy management, micro-grid operations and electric vehicle charging. PPS manufactures UL and CE certified power electronics for advanced battery operation and alternative energy, with built-in smart functions for grid services. PPS also integrates full systems including multiple generation sources, batteries and other technologies and designs, commissions and operates micro-grids. PPS is proud to manufacture products in the United States that are in use across North America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean with current projects soon expanding our presence to Africa. More information about Princeton Power is available at www.princetonpower.com GE Power & Water provides customers with a broad array of power generation, energy delivery and water process technologies to solve their challenges locally. GE’s Energy Storage business, a part of GE Power and Water’s Renewables group, works to enable safer, efficient and cost-effective storage, distribution and utilization of energy where it’s needed and when it’s needed.