The Challenge

A Rhode Island-based clean energy developer and returning Energy Toolbase customer partnered with a manufacturing facility in Bristol, Rhode Island, to deploy a solar and energy storage system designed to reduce high demand charges and support participation in National Grid’s ConnectedSolutions demand response program. The site operates under Rhode Island Energy’s Large Demand G-32 tariff and has a 724kW solar PV array but needed an energy storage system to improve load flexibility, manage peak demand, and capture additional value from demand response participation. 

National Grid required significant grid infrastructure upgrades before granting interconnection approval, resulting in approximately $750,000 in unexpected costs. Despite the added complexity to the approval process, the project maintained strong economics, and the customer secured additional funding to move forward based on the long-term savings potential and demand management benefits of the system. 

The Solution

Energy Toolbase and the developer deployed a BYD CHESS energy storage system integrated with ETB Controller and Acumen AI to deliver dynamic economic dispatch and support participation in ConnectedSolutions. The 120 kW / 258 kWh unit was configured to reduce peak demand charges and enable time-of-use arbitrage under the facility’s Large Demand G-32 tariff. Acumen AI optimizes dispatch based on real-time site conditions, aligning battery behavior with periods of highest economic value. 

The system currently participates in ConnectedSolutions through scheduled manual dispatch, and the customer is exploring future integration with day-ahead signals from CPower, which would allow ETB Controller to automate demand response participation. This provides a pathway to increase program value as additional seasons and capabilities become available. The project was deployed alongside the customer’s existing 724 kW solar array, creating a comprehensive solution that improves cost stability and load flexibility.