AMS and Tesla Energy win important 12 MWh Powerpack contract with Cal State University

Tesla’s energy division has had success in winning contracts for significant energy storage projects at educational institutions in California. Last year, we reported on Tesla installing battery packs at 3 high schools in the San Diego County school districts totalling 32 MWh of capacity. The company also signed a similar deal with the Temecula Valley district and last month, we reported on Tesla installing a 4 MWh project at the College of Marin in Marin County.

Now we learn that Tesla Energy won an important 12 MWh Powerpack contract with Cal State University (CSU).

The project is part of Tesla’s supply agreement with Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS). Under the contract, Tesla will supply AMS with up to 500 MWh of energy storage. The two companies already completed a few projects under the contract, including several office buildings in Irvine (pictured above).

With this new project, Cal State University expects to reduce its utility costs by more than $3.3 million (via City News Service):

“The project, in conjunction with San Francisco-based Advanced Microgrid Solutions, will be implemented in multiple phases and represent the largest advanced electrical storage project at an educational institution in the nation. Company and CSU officials estimate the first phase of the project will reduce the CSU’s electric utility costs by more than $3.3 million and will store enough energy to power 2,000 homes.”

The first phase will start this summer at CSU’s Long Beach campus and a second phase will follow at the CSU Office of the Chancellor in early 2017:

“In the initial phase of the project, AMS will oversee the design, installation and operation of a 1,000kW/6,000kWh energy storage system at CSU’s Long Beach campus. AMS will subsequently install two storage systems at the CSU Office of the Chancellor and the Dominguez Hills campus, for a total of 2,000kW/12,000kWh of energy storage. Additional CSU campuses will be able to enroll in the project through a standardized contract.”

Tesla is starting to ramp up its Powerpack business and confirmed having delivered 100 units during the first quarter. The company also opened direct orders of up to 54 Powerpacks and reveals pricing directly on its website. Tesla also has been working with SolarCity on several energy storage projects combined with solar arrays.

Featured image: Irvine project with Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) via TMC