CAMAS, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Sharp Electronics Corporation announced the launch of Sharp's SmartStorage energy solution, which is immediately available throughout California and will be expanded to other states in the second half of 2014. SmartStorage is a unique energy storage solution, which can dramatically cut utility demand charges for commercial and industrial buildings. It was developed in the U.S. at Camas, Wash.-based Sharp Laboratories of America.
“We are confident that our SmartStorage product brings Sharp’s innovation, reliability and quality to the emerging energy storage market," says Carl Mansfield, General Manager of Sharp’s Energy Systems and Services Group. "Our product’s combination of cutting-edge hardware, integrated with Sharp’s unique software, and backed by our 10-year O&M service and performance guarantee provides a turnkey solution that works widely for commercial and industrial business owners."
SmartStorage keeps a large amount of electric energy stored in reserve, which it selectively releases in order to limit a facility’s electricity demand. The system employs sophisticated, predictive controls to manage the release of this energy, resulting in high performance, high system efficiency and world-class reliability. Sharp’s confidence in its product is reflected in its innovative performance guarantee, made available following a review of a commercial customer’s historical load profile.
SmartStorage operates effectively either as a stand-alone solution or when deployed together with a solar electric installation. Each case can result in lower demand charges for building owners, which is especially important with rising energy rates, like the 15%+ rate hike on demand charges that occurred this June for San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison customers.
“HelioPower views SmartStorage as a game-changer for clean-energy in California," explains Brandon Conard, Chief Strategy Officer of HelioPower, an integrated energy solutions company with more than 4,000 solar and clean energy installations to date in the California market. "Previously, there was no good solution for buildings with either crowded roofs or high demand charges. We have reviewed a number of other emerging storage offers and believe that SmartStorage, backed by Sharp’s world-class combination of technology, reliability and service track record, is the best product in the market.”
With recently signed distribution agreements and initial product orders, Sharp has begun to successfully collaborate with California-based project development allies to roll out SmartStorage to business owners throughout the state. Over the past 18 months, SmartStorage has undergone rigorous quality assurance testing, with performance and reliability validated at a commercial building pilot deployment in downtown San Diego.
About Sharp Electronics Corporation
Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, energy products and solutions, and networked multifunctional office solutions. Leading brands include AQUOS® LED HD and 4K televisions, Microwave Drawer® ovens and Plasmacluster® air purifiers. Sharp has been named one of the Most Admired Brands in America and one of the 20 Most Loved Companies globally.* For more information, visit www.sharpsmartstorage.com.
*Sources: Buyology Inc., 2012; APCO Worldwide, 2013
