Bandera Electric Cooperative is expanding its portfolio of distributed energy resources by adding affordable energy storage as an option for members participating in the Energy Saver program.
“We launched Energy Saver in 2020, and currently, we have around 663 Energy Saver customers and 553 Distributed Generation customers, all utilizing Apolloware,” said John Padalino, Chief Counsel and Administrative Director of the distribution cooperative based in Bandera, Texas. “Our energy storage program will provide subscribers with ‘whole-house power’ for eight hours or more during extended outages, as well as help reduce our peak demand during normal operations.”
Since November, the cooperative has installed 10 energy storage systems, made available to subscribers at a very low cost, and hopes to increase the total number of subscriptions to 75 units soon.
“Our vision is for every member to eventually qualify for this program,” Padalino said. “We are a typical rural community, where some members have higher incomes, but the majority of our members have low or moderate incomes. Adding energy storage to our Energy Saver program, which has been offered since 2020, will provide members with access to backup power without the need for large upfront investments.”
The Apolloware energy assessment and monitoring application developed by BEC helps Energy Saver subscribers control their energy consumption. The application provides access to stored energy that can be used to smooth peaks and control wholesale energy costs, as well as redirect full production and output to subscriber systems when grid issues arise.
BEC representatives state that the new services offer thoughtful expansion of energy options and improvements, initially financed through $35 million in zero percent loans from the Rural Utilities Service. The cooperative also utilizes tax incentives authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act to fund its energy storage subscription program.
“In other words, as a nonprofit organization, our goal is always to earn more than we spend, so we can pass the savings on to our members,” Padalino said. “Our Apolloware platform grants them a bill credit to ensure their satisfaction and to shoulder the cost of charging the batteries.”
The subscription program is designed to be easily scalable, allowing business owners and industrial customers who have their own energy sources to eventually subscribe to the service for cost control.
“Some of our local car dealerships have solar installations ranging from 200-300 kilowatts, so the batteries are ‘stacked,'” Padalino said. “We see this as a program to improve resilience to outages that will eventually allow members to offset their usage and provide reliable service during power disruptions.”
The overall value of the subscription program includes options that allow the cooperative access to subscribed energy storage during high wholesale energy costs, as well as the ability to fully charge batteries during off-peak times. Subscribers have full access to both storage and solar energy production during the day when grid energy is unavailable.
Additionally, BEC has become the first cooperative or public entity to register a fleet of subscription batteries with the Public Utility Commission of Texas for participation in ERCOT’s distributed energy resource pilot. The ERCOT program allows the cooperative to generate additional revenue from subscribed batteries by offering resources on the wholesale electricity market as a virtual power plant.
“In the future, we want to find additional benefits for a battery subscriber that helps offset their usage,” Padalino said. “We will have energy savings that will enable us to regularly offset wholesale energy costs, and individual subscribers will benefit from improved reliability tailored to their specific needs.”
Author: Derrill Holly (adapted)
FAQ Section:
1. What is Energy Saver?
Energy Saver is a program offered by Bandera Electric Cooperative that allows members to access energy storage and provides whole-house power during extended power outages.
2. What is Apolloware?
Apolloware is an application developed by BEC that helps Energy Saver subscribers control their energy consumption and utilize stored energy to smooth peaks and control energy costs.
3. How does the cooperative finance the energy storage subscription program?
The cooperative utilizes zero percent loans and tax incentives authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act to finance its energy storage subscription program.
4. How is the subscription program scalable?
The subscription program is designed to be easily scalable, allowing business owners and industrial customers with their own energy sources to subscribe to the service for cost control.
5. What are the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT?
The Public Utility Commission of Texas is the regulatory body for public utilities in Texas, and ERCOT is the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. BEC has become the first cooperative or public entity registered with the Public Utility Commission of Texas to have a fleet of subscription batteries for participation in ERCOT’s distributed energy resource pilot.
6. How does BEC generate additional revenue from subscribed batteries?
BEC offers subscribed batteries on the wholesale electricity market as a virtual power plant, allowing them to generate additional revenue.
Definitions:
– Energy storage: the process of storing electrical energy for use at a later time, such as during power outages.
– Energy Saver: a program offered by Bandera Electric Cooperative that provides subscribers with access to energy storage and backup power.
– Apolloware: an application developed by BEC that helps control energy consumption and utilize stored energy.
– Zero percent loans: loans that do not require interest payments.
– Inflation Reduction Act: an act that provides tax incentives to fund distributed energy programs.
– Public Utility Commission of Texas: the regulatory body for public utilities in Texas.
– ERCOT: Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the electric grid in Texas.
Suggested Related Links:
– Bandera Electric Cooperative Homepage
– Energy Saver Program Page
– Information on Bandera Electric Cooperative