David Liebman, Manager of Sustainability & Energy Programs, developed a Facilities Master Plan that included a solar + storage strategy. Intelligent storage is a natural complement to solar generation, enabling organizations to turn variable, intermittent solar generation into a flexible, responsive and always available resource. This leads directly to a greater return on solar energy projects and lower overall energy costs by enabling a shift to battery power when utility prices spike. Energy storage can also drive added value by 1) Future-proofing solar projects from changing rates and 2) Participating in grid services such as demand response, which supports a more reliable electricity supply for surrounding communities. Storage also builds resilience and delivers on the promise of environmental responsibility by increasing the availability of on-site power.

In its pursuit of solar + storage, SRJC identified Stem as its storage partner. Liebman’s evaluation criteria initially focused on the storage specifications (e.g. battery chemistry, estimated lifetime and warranty, energy density and the appropriate state of charge), but as he went through the process he quickly realized that maximizing the value of both the solar and storage assets depended on the intelligence of the software controlling the batteries. Software is critical for determining the best times to store, generate, or consume power, and he wanted a solution that would enable SRJC to interact directly with the utility and CAISO, the grid operator, to provide value-added services.

Liebman found that Stem’s energy storage service powered by Athena™, the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) for energy storage, was the only logical choice. Stem’s AI-driven software enables organizations to optimize energy use by automatically switching between battery power, onsite generation and grid power.

SRJC installed a 2.6 MW solar carport and 1.3 MW energy storage system—and Liebman’s innovative project was recognized at a California Higher Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC), where Liebman was also recognized as a Sustainability Champion in the California Community College category. SRJC is the first California Community College to be recognized for completing the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS) framework.