SAM #BA-946

Licensing Opportunity for Behind-the-Meter Energy Management Technology for Peak Shaving and Load Shaping

This notice from Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), under the Department of Energy (DOE), announces a licensing opportunity for a proprietary control algorithm for behind-the-meter energy management. - The technology manages onsite battery storage and generation for peak shaving and load shaping in electrical power systems. - It is scalable and adaptable for residential, commercial, industrial, nanogrid, microgrid, and utility distribution applications. - The algorithm can be deployed as either software or firmware. - INL is seeking industry partners for licensing, co-development, or evaluation, not for procurement of products or services. - No specific OEMs, vendors, product quantities, or part numbers are mentioned. - Ideal partners include power-system software developers, energy technology firms, and electric utilities. - Key requirements include scalability, adaptability to various facility types, and integration with demand-response and energy security needs. - There are no purchase or service requirements, and no commercial procurement is being solicited.

Description

Overview

This technology is a control algorithm that manages behind-the-meter energy storage and onsite generation to perform peak shaving and load shaping in electrical power systems. Peak shaving reduces the highest points of electricity demand, while load shaping adjusts consumption and generation patterns over time to meet cost or operational goals. The intended value is twofold: reduced energy costs and demand charges for facility operators, and reduced strain on utility infrastructure during high-demand periods. The algorithm coordinates locally available battery storage and generation to draw on stored energy at the most advantageous times. A distinguishing design objective is scalability. Rather than being purpose-built for a single facility type, the same approach is intended to apply across residential, commercial, industrial, nanogrid, microgrid, and distribution-system contexts. It is designed to be deployed either as software integrated into a utility energy management system or as firmware on a standalone microcontroller for smaller installations.

Industry Need

Facility operators face rising electricity costs driven in part by demand charges tied to peak usage, while utilities face the cost and complexity of meeting concentrated demand peaks and managing grid congestion. Many existing peak-shaving and load-shaping solutions are built for a specific facility type or grid context, which introduces scalability, interoperability, and flexibility constraints when the same capability is needed across different system sizes or configurations. This can require redesign or separate tooling for each deployment. In parallel, critical facilities such as hospitals and defense installations require dependable operation and improved energy security, including the ability to continue functioning when disconnected from the main grid. These pressures create demand for a single adaptive method that coordinates existing storage and generation assets across varied operating conditions.

Differentiation & Advantages

Designed as a single generic approach intended to scale from a few kilowatts to tens of megawatts, and across voltages from residential 120 V to 66 kV sub-transmission. Uses a two-stage method: proactive hour-ahead scheduling based on forecasts, followed by real-time adjustment based on measured conditions. Incorporates weather and meteorological data to improve forecasting of onsite generation and load. Adapts usable battery state-of-charge range to energy-security needs, reserving a narrower range where only a single fuel source is available. Designed to respond to utility demand-response commands, price signals, and technical constraint signals, and to operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes.

Potential Applications

Residential, commercial, and industrial facilities seeking to reduce demand charges and energy costs. Nanogrids and microgrids requiring coordinated control of local storage and generation. Utility distribution systems using the method to support peak reduction and congestion management. Critical facilities such as hospitals and defense installations where energy security and continued operation are priorities. Deployments where local resources may also participate in balancing or regulating electricity markets.

Partnering Opportunity

This technology is available for collaboration through technology transfer, and this is not a procurement opportunity. We are not soliciting or acquiring services, products, or contract work. Instead, we are seeking industry partners interested in licensing, co-development, or evaluation of the technology for commercial application. Ideal partners may include power-system software developers, energy technology firms, and electric utilities positioned to advance the technology toward deployment. Interested organizations are encouraged to reach out to discuss licensing terms, joint development pathways, or evaluation arrangements.

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