Hybrid Solution Pairs Flywheels with Batteries: Torus Station Deployment in Utah’s Gardner Properties
Rocky Mountain Power is paving the way for a more sustainable energy future with its innovative Wattsmart programme, which enrolls customers into a virtual power plant aggregation programme that helps manage the grid network. Customers are not only contributing to a greener grid but are also rewarded for their participation.
Enrolled customers receive a per-kilowatt upfront fee and an annual bill credit for making their battery capacity available for discharge into the grid. This market-based incentive programme is making waves across Utah and Idaho, with Rocky Mountain Power utilizing energy storage systems to provide various grid services.
One key player in this initiative is Sonnen USA, which helped create the programme and has seen over 40MWh of household batteries being networked and dispatched into the RMP grid daily. The partnership between Rocky Mountain Power and Sonnen is proving to be a success in driving the adoption of clean energy solutions.
Adding to this momentum, Torus is introducing a hybrid solution that combines flywheels and batteries for optimized grid services. This unique approach, which utilizes predictive analytics, offers both shorter and longer-duration energy storage applications for commercial and industrial properties. With a focus on sustainability, Torus’ flywheel is designed to be 95% recyclable and has a 25-year service life.
The recent $67 million investment in Torus, along with key additions to its board, indicates a strong push towards expanding their reach and impact in the energy storage market. The opening of a new HQ and manufacturing facility in South Salt Lake, Utah, further underscores the company’s commitment to growth and innovation.
As Torus gears up to begin installations across Gardner Group properties, the energy landscape in Utah is poised for a significant transformation. With sustainability at the forefront, the collaboration between Rocky Mountain Power, Sonnen, and Torus is shaping the future of energy management in the region.
