Stem, a leading provider of AI-driven clean energy solutions and services, announced that it dispatched approximately 86 megawatts (MW) and 268 megawatt-hours (MWh) through its California virtual power plant (VPP), on September 6th’s 5-hour Flex Alert period.
Southern California entered a nine-day streak of record-setting heat on Thursday. The government has made use of the flex alert to conserve electricity and avoid blackouts. A Flex Alert is a mechanism that allows energy consumers to voluntarily cut back on electricity usage, especially during off-peak hours.
Stem began to dispatch energy at electricity usage peaks in response to extreme statewide heat waves and grid emergencies. The role of Stem and similar energy storage companies is to provide resilience in case of international and unforeseen grid outages. Stem achieved this role by releasing stored energy to commercial and industrial customers.
Extreme heat waves create significant stress on the electrical grid, and call for a cut back on electricity usage. Cities that experience these occurrences utilize Flex Alerts.
‘As we continue to see extreme heat patterns, Stem’s customers are stepping up to support a more resilient grid. We’re continuing to deploy energy storage systems dispatched by the Athena platform throughout this heat wave to shore up system stability.’ Julie Steury, Vice President of Program Operations at Stem, stated.
The Athena platform by Stem helps customers enjoy flexibility from Stem’s energy storage systems. The company also has the AlsoEnergy solution that monitors and optimizes a wide range of energy assets. The energy assets include solar panels, storage systems, and electric vehicle charging stations. These platforms allow Stem to provide more actionable insights and intelligent dispatch capabilities, empowering organizations to maximize the value of their energy assets.
Stem remains the first energy storage provider to launch a battery storage VPP and integrate it into California wholesale markets as a demand response resource. Since its inception, Stem has enrolled several industrial and commercial customers into its California VPP, part of its approximately 2.1 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy storage assets operating in more than 75 jurisdictions.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, for the first time, triggered a wireless emergency alert system on Tuesday, sending messages to 27 million cell phone users to turn off or reduce non-essential power.
‘Had it not been for the efforts of, literally, millions of Californians, just to turn down a light or turn down a thermometer and not use a large appliance, we would not be in the position we are today,’ said Newsom during a press conference in Beverly Hills on Wednesday.
The state’s power regulators hope to continue their streak of Flex alerts, as long as it will avoid total blackouts. All residents will be expected to conserve electricity during the hours of 3 to 10 p.m. or 4 to 9 p.m. as directed by the agency.
Residents can pre-cool their homes and use their essential appliances before the flex hours to prevent discomfort. Cutting back energy is critical in the stabilization of the power grid during energy peak periods and will help prevent further emergency measures, including rotating power outages.
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