Raymond Installs Solar and Energy Storage System, Showcases Benefits

New behind-the-meter storage practice at distribution warehouse demonstrates potential benefits, including lower costs

Raymond Corp. Installs Solar and Energy Storage System at its Green, N..Y. warehouse..

Raymond Corp. said its micro-grid installation has “demonstrated the benefits of behind-the-meter energy generation and storage” combined with forklift-to-grid charging systems.

— Image courtesy of Raymond Corp.

The Raymond Corporation has finalized the deployment of a full-scale battery energy storage system, solar microgrid array and warehouse energy management system at its distribution warehouse in Greene, N.Y., demonstrating lower energy costs and resiliency for warehouses.

“With the implementation of behind-the-meter storage at our distribution center, we have gained insights into the benefits of the system in material handling applications specifically related to alleviating increased demand associated with charging of advanced power solutions including lithium,” said Jennifer de Souza, vice president, energy solutions, procurement and leasing, The Raymond Corporation.

“We are excited to continue to demonstrate a new energy storage process and solution for warehouse energy management that will reduce utility costs for warehouse owners,” de Souza added.

In a Jan. 17 news release, Raymond said the energy storage program began as a joint project in March 2019 with Binghamton University and was partially funded by a $1 million award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Phase One included installing a 200kW Photovoltaic system and 250kW/420kWh Battery Energy Storage System at Raymond’s distribution warehouse. The second and third stages of the project developed and demonstrated the installation of advanced lithium-ion battery chargers using proprietary software to balance grid and micro-grid charging for power optimization for a renewable energy source.

The company said its micro-grid installation has “demonstrated the benefits of behind-the-meter energy generation and storage” combined with forklift-to-grid charging systems.

“The energy storage solution can help transform warehouses into controllable energy hubs or Virtual Power Plants (VPP), which can be optimized to support the power grid during normal and peak grid conditions while improving sustainability and carbon neutrality,” de Souza said.

Raymond says it plans to deploy a front-of-the-meter rooftop system at its Syracuse, N.Y., parts distribution facility.

For more information, visit raymondcorp.com.