CASE STUDY
Location
Commercial Operation Date
Facility Type
Energy Storage System Size
Storage, Software and Solar Combine to Save ShoEi Foods $72,000 Annually
Located in Olivehurst, California, ShoEi Foods USA, Inc. is a leader in the food processing industry, preparing nearly 1,000 acres of prunes and walnuts annually. In addition to its processing plant, the business requires energy-intensive refrigerated warehouses that operate around the clock. Knowing that improved energy management would both directly impact the bottom line and underscore its sustainability commitment, ShoEi’s executive team began a search for the best solutions to reduce energy use. ShoEi’s team originally looked to solar and engaged Synergy Solar after a competitive solicitation. When Synergy Solar saw ShoEi’s energy profile they knew a combined solar plus storage solution would help ShoEi save more than solar alone.
Synergy partnered with Stem to scope out a combined solar-storage energy management system. As Stem’s team of energy consultants reviewed the company’s energy profile, they identified a lucrative opportunity for ShoEi to apply Stem’s software plus storage solution to modify their energy profile and qualify for a more cost-effective rate plan. By integrating solar to offset daytime energy use and storage to lower demand charges and stay under the specified limit, ShoEi would save an estimated $6,000 per month. Stem proposed the rate switch plan to ShoEi, and as a result, Stem and Synergy Solar were awarded the project.
Challenge
In order to maximize value from the solar plus storage project and move to the preferable electricity rate, ShoEi would need to stay below a qualifying maximum demand level (500kW) continuously for a full year.
Solution
Stem’s software and battery worked in concert to lower ShoEi’s maximum demand. When the software detected a spike in energy usage, it automatically notified facility managers who could then reconfigure operations. Concurrently, Stem’s storage units automatically released stored energy, buying more time for necessary adjustments.
Results
With Stem’s software and storage as a safety net, ShoEi successfully switched to the more favorable electricity rate and maintained it without a single misstep. The switch saved ShoEi roughly $6,000 per month.
Dwight Davis
“Once we learned what Stem was capable of, it was a no brainer signing up with them. We moved forward immediately, and they’ve added value to ShoEi from day one.”
