The need for grid resiliency continues to grow as climate change affects weather patterns and the increase in renewable energy introduces greater instability to power systems. Batteries can be used to bridge the gap between our goals of decreasing reliance on fossil fuels and increasing grid resilience while providing numerous other services to battery owners and the grid. In order to achieve Smith’s 2030 carbon neutrality commitment, Smith will likely replace the current combined heat and power plant with geothermal heating, leaving the campus without the ability to generate electricity and supply backup power. This work investigates the economic and technical feasibility of using a battery to provide backup power. Other grid services such as demand response and frequency regulation are explored as sources of profit to offset the cost of the battery. Lawrence Berkeley Lab’s DER-CAM software is used to provide initial battery sizing and cost estimates. The environmental impact and advantages are also explored. A poster session deriving from the McKinley Pre-Honors Research Fellowship and Special Studies with Judith Cardell, Professor of Engineering and of Computer Science.
by Sally Robson ‘22