Rocky Mountain Power bringing energy storage to the forefront as part of the industry leading Wattsmart Battery program

SALT LAKE CITY —  Rocky Mountain Power is pioneering a new model for existing rooftop solar customers, transforming thousands of intermittent rooftop solar systems into firm dispatchable grid assets by retrofitting each home with a sonnen battery. 

sonnen, one of the global market leaders in smart residential energy storage is collaborating with ES Solar, a leading Utah solar contractor, as part of their partnership with Rocky Mountain Power’s Wattsmart Battery program. A substantial break from traditional rooftop solar, the concept  focuses on a collaborative approach to lay the groundwork for the power grid of the future. 

“The path to a sustainable energy future requires the ability to integrate increasing amounts of renewables,” said Bill Comeau, Rocky Mountain Power vice president of customer experience. “Through this innovative partnership, our 50,000 customers with rooftop solar can now be part of the solution for a sustainable grid of the future for the benefit of all.” 

After years of building and testing a Battery Grid Management System (BGMS), Rocky Mountain Power launched the Wattsmart Battery program for 2021. In response to the launch of Wattsmart, ES Solar created a new business model to ensure rooftop solar systems are equipped with batteries controlled by the local utility for the greater operation of the grid, removing many of the grid integration issues inherent with existing stand-alone rooftop solar systems. 

“Our evolution at ES Solar revolves around the idea that a smarter grid requires intelligent batteries paired with solar,” said Nic Evans, Vice President of Commercial at ES Solar. “We are committed to delivering customers solutions for a sustainable dynamic renewable energy grid.”

“This first of its kind model is on the cutting edge of the battery storage industry and, while novel now, it’s indicative of far-reaching, long-term shifts in how the grid is managed, and the essential role of battery storage,” said Blake Richetta, Chairman and CEO of sonnen, Inc. 

Rocky Mountain Power was also recently named a finalist for the 2021 S&P Global Platts Grid Edge Award for its work with sonnen, ES Solar and other partners to pioneer programs like Wattsmart Battery.