Behind-the-Meter Energy Storage System

San Diego, California, manufacturer, iDemand Energy Storage (iDES3) is aiming to change the face of renewable energy storage with the latest and best behind-the-meter system designed to save home and property owners more money on their utility costs than they would with conventional systems.

“Our revolutionary energy storage units, which are designed to work with photovoltaics, windmills and other sources of sustainable energy, make it possible for our clients to go completely off the grid,” said Walter Ellard, co-founder and company president. “That’s called ‘load defection.’ In the face of ever-increasing costs for electricity, more and more utility customers are opting for self-generated and on-site stored energy. Their bills can be reduced to zero and they also have the satisfaction of knowing they’re neutralizing their carbon footprint.”

Made at the company’s facility on Arjons Drive in Mira Mesa, the battery systems consist of lithium iron phosphate in large formed prismatic cells, for “maximum performance,” Ellard said. The company is currently in negotiations to lease 33,000 square feet of warehouse space in Temecula, which will give it two locations.

“Our battery storage units are the only whole-house, whole-building systems on the market today,” said Raymond Trejo, co-founder and senior vice president. “That means they’ll pick up all of your heavy-hitting loads, such as air-conditioning, pool pumps and electric-vehicle chargers, while providing ample output for other appliances and needs. We keep the lights on 24/7, 365 days a year, and we provide a bumper-to-bumper warranty for the entire system for up to 25 years.”

The value of the local contracts that iDES3 has landed since it started doing business is more than $10 million, and it is currently in negotiations to manufacture battery units for buildings in Arizona, Nevada and Mexico. One contract with a company that has several facilities within the county, as well as in northern Baja, awaits only the “green-light” from San Diego Gas & Electric, indicating that the battery storage system is large enough to accommodate the buildings, Ellard said.

Said Trejo, “Because Walter and I both operated as contractors in the past, we pay particular attention to producing sustainable solar energy storage systems that can be easily installed. We’ve taken the complexity out of it.”