Energy storage provider Ice Energy announced a strategic relationship with Trane (NYSE: IR), a well-known heating and air-conditioning unit of Ingersoll Rand, to develop and deliver energy storage-compatible, high-efficiency air conditioning solutions for commercial customers.
Under terms of the agreement, select Trane rooftop models, ranging from 4 to 20 tons, will be shipped “Ice-Ready” by Trane for seamless integration and optimal performance with Ice Energy’s Ice Bear energy storage systems.
The two companies will also work together to offer new, high-efficiency air conditioning systems to key national accounts and other customers who are building new or seeking to replace or upgrade their existing systems in conjunction with an energy storage installation.
Pairing high-efficiency Trane commercial packaged heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with Ice Energy’s distributed energy storage technology on small to mid-sized commercial buildings enables a change in how and when energy is consumed for air conditioning. The combined solution helps commercial customers reduce on-peak electricity demand, increase energy efficiency, and reduce their building’s environmental footprint.
“Combining Ice Bear energy storage with high-efficiency Trane systems represents an exciting new approach to helping our customers shift their peak electricity demand,” said Tom Troyanek, director, sourced product development for Trane. “They can now take advantage of more efficient nighttime power to provide daytime cooling, which can lower energy costs without impacting occupants’ comfort.”
The Ice Bear system stores energy at night by freezing water in an insulated storage tank. During the day it works with the Ice-Ready™ air conditioning systems to dispatch the stored energy to deliver cooling to the building, dramatically reducing the amount of electricity required on peak. During off-peak hours, the conventional HVAC system operates as usual.
Last year, the Southern California Public Power Authority announced plans to undertake a 53-megawatt (MW) energy storage project utilizing Ice Energy technology. The project represents the potential to deploy integrated Ice Bear and Trane systems on thousands of locations throughout southern California.
Ice Energy also has an agreement with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) that extends the company’s Ice Bear distributed energy storage offering to U.S. Federal Government agencies and the military.
And the company raised $24 million in Series C funding in October 2010.
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