New Hampshire Utility is Using Residential Batteries to Create Virtual Power Plant

Caterpillar Inc. announced this week that Liberty - New Hampshire, a local electric provider, has selected Caterpillar to supply turnkey virtual power plant (VPP) solutions for Liberty’s battery storage pilot.

Under the initiative, Liberty has installed 2,600 kWh of lithium-ion battery storage at 100 homes to charge overnight when demand and rates are low, reduce peak load during times of high demand, provide battery backup for residents during power outages, and offer customers time-of-use rates.

Caterpillar’s Distributed Energy Resource Management team will manage the operation of the batteries by analyzing the energy market and then dispatching power from the batteries to maximize benefits for Liberty and its customers. Caterpillar will also provide Liberty with real-time snapshots of battery usage and performance behind the meter.

Liberty’s battery storage program was the first of its kind in New Hampshire, saving the utility more than $180,000 annually through adjusted savings in transmission costs and avoided capacity costs. Participating customers have also saved an average of $60 in monthly utility costs.

“Our battery storage pilot has confirmed the value of distributed energy resources as a viable option for reducing peak demand and moderating rates for customers,” said Heather Tebbetts, director of business planning for Liberty - New Hampshire. “Caterpillar has the technical capabilities and local expertise to provide the insights we need to drive further improvements as we prepare for future program growth.”

The centerpiece of Caterpillar’s VPP portfolio is the Active Management Platform (AMP), a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) that helps customers monitor, manage, and monetize power assets. The platform monitors patterns from the grid and client facilities, analyzes opportunities in energy markets, and then dispatches DERs to maximize return and monetize results without disrupting normal business operations.

Part of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., Liberty provides natural gas, water, and electricity distribution and services to over one million customer connections. Liberty’s North American distribution operations include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas in the United States, and New Brunswick in Canada.

_{Source:  Caterpillar Inc.}

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