Glenwood to deploy distributed energy storage systems in its NYC buildings

Glenwood, an owner and builder of rental properties, has expanded its commitment to sustainable development practices in deploying the first Megawatt (MW) of distributed energy storage systems across a select group of buildings in their NYC real estate portfolio. Construction will begin on systems in the first properties, with commissioning and measurement/verification approvals completed in the first half of the year. The energy storage systems will be operational for the summer peak load season and will support the Indian Point Demand Management Program that Con Ed and NYSERDA are offering to commercial customers. "We all need to work together to manage our electric grid and intelligently manage load growth in NYC, and this pioneering technology offers a viable solution" said Josh London, VP of management for Glenwood. "In our mission to expand sustainable practices within the Glenwood portfolio, energy storage is an ideal solution that helps ConEd and NYSERDA solve real and pressing problems in managing the grid, while simultaneously elevating the quality of life at our properties," London added. Glenwood is an early adopter of energy storage, having installed its first system two years ago at their Barclay Tower property. That system, developed by market pioneer Demand Energy has been operating successfully and delivering above planned economic returns to the building. London said, "We've had a great experience and gained tremendous insights into how we can enhance our building operations through Demand Energy's cloud-based management platform, building analytics and operational models for behind-the-meter (BTM) energy storage. We are eager to deploy their technology across our entire portfolio." Glenwood has decided to move forward with a broad deployment of energy storage systems and has contracted with EnerSys, the global leader in industrial battery solutions and Demand Energy, a leader in the emerging storage systems market to deliver, install and operate these assets. The deployment of an aggregated 1MW of energy storage across Glenwood's properties, represents the first example of a networked distributed energy storage portfolio in NYC that is capable of managing individual building loads in real-time or responding as an aggregated asset to a critical power event called by ConEd or NYISO. "EnerSys brings more than 100 years of experience in the battery industry, a full range of integrated support services and the deep technical expertise needed to deliver the long life and performance required to assure both building and grid system reliability and resiliency" said Ed Stein, Manager of Business Development for EnerSys. Increased grid and facility resiliency is a critical priority of Mayor de Blasio's Building Resiliency Task Force and an important goal of the Office of Recovery and Resiliency of NYC. New York State, with the leadership of Governor Cuomo and The Public Service Commission, is moving forward with the development of a new energy market. Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) represents a bold approach to bringing utility regulation and management of the grid into the 21st century. The focus of the initiative is on the distribution side of the grid where the goal is to manage overall demand. This dynamic new market of incentives and tariffs will encourage customers to deploy assets like energy storage to help align system/network peaks with building load reductions and improve the overall efficiency of the grid. "Unpredictability is the new norm and we believe that this first aggregated system in NYC is a foundational platform that will enable Glenwood to save money today and participate directly in the dynamic power and energy market proposed in the REV Initiative" said Doug Staker, VP Global Sales for Demand Energy.