Commercial, Energy Storage, Commercial, Sourcing Renewables  -  November 23, 2016

Wal-Mart partners up for ice energy storage demo

In an effort to reduce operating costs related to refrigeration and improve resilience across its portfolio of stores, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is conducting a field demonstration of an ice-based energy storage system in San Diego. 

The refrigeration battery energy storage solution works by using the Wal-Mart store's existing refrigeration system to freeze tanks of salt water at night, when electricity costs are low; then, during peak hours — when electricity demand drives power prices higher — the battery provides coolings services for seven hours, according to Axiom Energy, the owner of the technology. The company said in a Nov. 15 news release that the system is expected to reduce the Wal-Mart store's pricey, on-peak electric demand by up to 40%. 

"Walmart is actively evaluating different energy storage technologies that have the potential to reduce our operating costs and improve stores’ resilience during power outages and extreme weather events across our portfolio," Wal-Mart Vice President of Energy Mark Vanderhelm said in a statement about the project. "This demonstration is consistent with these efforts as well as Walmart's commitment to fostering innovation ... we are excited to review the potential of Axiom's solution to these issues." 

The field demonstration is being funded by utility members of California's Emerging Technologies Coordinating Council, whose mission is to provide a forum for members to exchange information, opportunities and results from emerging energy-reducing technologies activities, according to Axiom's news release. Wal-Mart and the electric utilities supporting the project have contracted with KW Engineering to provide third-party measurement and verification for the field demonstration project.

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