Microgrid and ESS encourage electric vehicle charging at a New York dealer

The Vail Buick GMC dealership in Bedford Hills, New York, has added an energy storage system (ESS) to support electric vehicle charging while lowering energy costs.

The sprawling car dealership in eastern New York was ticking Energy Toolbase, Socomec And Gear power to deploy the ESS to provide microgrid capabilities, reduce demand loads, and participate in state demand response programs. Sprocket Power led the installation of a 100 kW / 186 kWh energy storage system at the dealership. The system, equipped with a Socomec HES L unit integrated with Energy Toolbase’s Acumen EMS control software, complements the dealership’s existing solar infrastructure.

Historically, New York’s electric grid has experienced significant stresses, prompting the strategic decision to incorporate solar energy storage to support EV chargers installed at the dealership. To contain costs, the deployed system will actively provide capacity during fast charging of electric vehicles to avoid utility demand and participate in demand response programs.

By enrolling in programs such as Con Edison’s Commercial System Relief Program (CSRP) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Distribution Load Relief Program (DLRP), the dealership aims to support the electric grid by reducing electricity consumption during peak periods and reduce electricity costs during peak hours. wholesale markets, ultimately leading to lower retail rates. Astute EMS allows participation in these demand response programs for grid services through scheduled assignments on the ETB monitor platform.

“Energy Toolbase is proud to provide a solution that allows developers to use our Acumen EMS controls to increase value by enrolling in programs like ConEd’s CSRP. We are pleased to know that our solutions will help the end customer realize substantial savings,” said Scott D’Ambrosio, VP Sales at Energy Toolbase.

The system includes microgrid islanding capabilities via Socomec’s HES L unit and Energy Toolbase’s control software, powering on-site computer servers and providing demand and cost management to reduce customer monthly costs. The island-based microgrid allows the dealership to supply power to the EV charging stations, so that electric vehicles can charge at the dealership in the event of a power outage.

“As car dealers adopt electric vehicle charging at their facilities, they face challenges in managing energy costs. We are pleased to leverage the powerful tools of Energy Toolbase and Socomec to enable the Vail Buick location to take advantage of New York’s increasingly dynamic energy markets,” said Dennis Quinn, president and co-founder of Sprocket Power. “The result achieves the company’s objectives by creating cost control, revenue creation and resilience during power outages. A great outcome.”