Edison Partners With Tesla For Battery Storage Projects

(RTTNews) - Edison International (EIX) said FRiday that it has established commercial agreements with Tesla Motors, Inc. (TSLA) as part of its launch of a new line of Tesla Energy products.

Southern California Edison, the regulated utility subsidiary of Edison International, and SoCore Energy, a subsidiary of Edison Energy that provides rooftop solar systems, are implementing energy storage projects that feature Tesla Powerpacks.

Southern California Edison is working with Tesla on two demonstration projects that can help reduce the cost of battery storage systems for residential and business customers. The demand response demonstration projects will test communication capabilities and explore rebates to customers who allow Southern California Edison to manage their battery charging in order to increase the use of renewable energy while ensuring continued grid reliability. The two projects are expected to be in place and operational in 2015.

Separately, SoCore Energy is working with Cinemark Holdings, Inc., to design and install Tesla batteries at two of their theatre properties in Southern California. Cinemark theatres in Lancaster, California, and Orange, California, will feature Tesla battery units that will be charged with electricity from the grid during nonpeak hours at night. The battery system at the Lancaster site will be able to store up to 800 kilowatt-hours, while the Orange site will have a capacity of 1,200 kilowatt-hours, for use during peak periods. Cinemark and SoCore Energy are looking at additional locations for potential battery installations.