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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2018

Alameda Municipal Power Partners with Energy Storage Company

ALAMEDA, CA – Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) is partnering with a clean energy technology company that is commercializing an innovative, cost-effective solution for storing electricity.

Amber Kinetics, based in Union City, is connecting to Alameda’s electricity grid as it demonstrates commercial operations of its Kinetic Energy Storage System (KESS) in Alameda Point. Unlike lithium-ion energy storage systems, Amber Kinetics’ system has no degradation or wear-and-tear over time. In addition, the steel storage system is completely recyclable after its 30-year design life.

Energy storage technology increases the value of intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. The saved energy can then be used at any time. 

Amber Kinetics’ breakthrough technology is the first to extend the duration and efficiency of flywheels from minutes to four hours, resulting in safe, economical and reliable energy storage for a variety of utility-scale applications. 

AMP’s partnership with Amber Kinetics allows the company to demonstrate the energy storage system on an active distribution system. 

“We’re always looking for opportunities to support new technologies that may have broad applications in the energy sector,” said AMP General Manager Nicolas Procos. “We’re proud that Amber Kinetics chose Alameda and AMP to be its testing ground.” 

Ed Chiao, co-founder and CEO of Amber Kinetics, said, “AMP has been a visionary partner to work with at our Alameda Test Site. As we have commercialized our second-generation flywheel, AMP has gone the extra mile to facilitate our testing in a safe and well-regulated manner on their grid. We could not have picked a better utility to partner with on advancing our energy storage technology.”

About AMP

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) is a department of the city of Alameda that has served residents and businesses for 132 years. AMP provides power to more than 34,000 customers at rates that average 17 percent below neighboring communities.

About Amber Kinetics

Winner of pv magazine's Array Changing Technology Award 2017, Amber Kinetics began shipping pre-commercial flywheels in September 2016 and commercial units in 2017. To date, the company's fleet of demonstration units has accumulated 40,000+ hours of run time domestically and abroad. For information, visit amberkinetics.com.

 

Contact

Kathleen Haley
Alameda Municipal Power
Office Phone: 510-814-6430
Email