Grid backup systems in VT pay off

[begreen]

Green Mtn. Power has been running a pilot program with leased battery backup systems. During the Halloween storm Vermont folks that had the islanded battery backup kept the lights on and heat going. Backup times ranged from 9 to 94 hrs. The key to the longer time backup? Wood heat.

Batteries vs. Blackouts: 1,100 Homes Powered Through Vermont Outage With Storage

Utility Green Mountain Power’s pilot programs paid off with clean, distributed backup power amid a statewide outage.

www.greentechmedia.com

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Excellent idea, bit confused in the application though.

"Going forward, GMP is working toward regulatory approval of a permanent energy storage tariff, which would let customers get whole-home battery backup for around $50 per month, Castonguay said."

They are planning to charge their customers $50/month for the privilege of storing their battery?

I get that they cost a lot, but GMP is saving that cost easily with only a few peak events in the summer.

The equipment would likely be different and less expensive, but less decentralized if they had a few facilities spread around their area holding large battery banks.

 

[begreen]

I think that would be the lease plan from the description. They also talked about a BYOD option that pays you an incentive and a monthly credit for allowing them to control the battery pack.
(broken link removed to https://greenmountainpower.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BYOD-Terms-and-Conditions-3-11-19.pdf)

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Tesla says 2 solar wall batteries cost $13000.

No idea on financing rates for something l Iike solar batteries, but if it was a vehicle, I'd think you would have a payment of around $250/mo. Quite a bit more than GMPs deal.

 

[begreen]

Tesla says 2 solar wall batteries cost $13000.

No idea on financing rates for something l Iike solar batteries, but if it was a vehicle, I'd think you would have a payment of around $250/mo. Quite a bit more than GMPs deal.

Looks like a single PowerWall II battery pack will earn a $4250 incentive and then a $38-44 monthly credit. GMP also accepts battery packs from a few other vendors like LG. There are other fees for connection that will chip away at that credit, but you own the battery pack and like a generator you have power outage protection.

 

[SpaceBus]

Looks like a single PowerWall II battery pack will earn a $4250 incentive and then a $38-44 monthly credit. GMP also accepts battery packs from a few other vendors like LG. There are other fees for connection that will chip away at that credit, but you own the battery pack and like a generator you have power outage protection.

Combined with even a modest solar system and now you have a micro-grid. Hopefully there will be more programs like this one. Perhaps someday power companies will be a thing of the past and energy generation will be owned by the masses.