Energy bills and battery storage – how a local nonprofit is taking charge!

The battery storage installation at MacDonald Training Center. The five cabinets to the left contain the batteries. The two center cabinets contain the inverters and the breaker panel appears on the right.

Tampa's MacDonald Training Center (MTC) transforms the lives of people with disabilities through innovations in vocational training, employment services, residential supports and life enrichment opportunities.

Now MTC is ready to innovate in a completely different area - battery storage.

Collaborating with Tampa Electric's Commercial Energy Management Team, MTC is actively participating in a fully funded research and development project on battery storage.

MTC's team has demonstrated a commitment to advocating for energy efficiency, aligning with Tampa Electric's research on battery storage. Over the past three years, MTC has taken advantage of Tampa Electric's Free Energy Audit and experienced cost savings, enhanced energy efficiency, and valuable insights for optimizing overall energy consumption.

Recognized for their community dedication, commitment to sustainability and mindful approach to fiscal responsibility, the nonprofit was the ideal choice for this initiative.

Why Study Battery Storage?

This project will evaluate how battery storage can be used to lower MTC's "peak usage" and thereby lower its monthly bill. How is this possible?

MTC will charge the lithium-iron battery with grid power at night and tap into the battery's stored energy at a time during the day when it reaches its peak usage. A company's peak usage typically occurs when it's operating all its equipment at full capacity or during the hottest time of day when all lights and computers are on. By using the battery's energy during its peak usage, MTC takes less energy from the grid and reduces its "peak kilowatt (kW) demand" that is recorded by the electric meter. This peak kilowatt demand is used to calculate part of the monthly bill, so reducing it will result in a lower bill.

We expect the 30-kilowatt lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery to cut MTC's demand charges by $4,000 to $5,000 a year.

There are other long-term benefits too: When a company can reduce peak kilowatt demand by using battery storage, Tampa Electric can defer investments in new power plants. This means less money spent on infrastructure - money that would otherwise have to be passed down to customers. This helps Tampa Electric reduce costs and keep rates among the lowest in Florida.

Tampa Electric Energy Management Team alone with MTC will control the battery using STORZ POWER, an advanced software that uses predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to charge and discharge the battery to align with consumption patterns. This technology will enable MTC to maximize the battery's stored energy.

Become more energy efficient

Schedule a free in-facility Energy Audit with Tampa Electric. Our professionally certified energy auditors will provide you with the tools to understand your business's energy usage, equipment, and processes. In addition, we'll recommend programs that help - some that offer money-back rebates. There's no obligation and all you have to do is complete this free energy audit request form or call our dedicated team of energy experts at 813-275-3909 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tampa Electric is proud of its history of encouraging conservation for more than 40 years. Today, we offer more energy-saving programs than any other utility in the state. Let us help you make the most of your energy dollar.

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