PUD’s experimental energy storage system is missing crucial software

EVERETT — An experimental project that spurred a whistleblower complaint at the Snohomish PUD is running and churning out data for more research and development work.

The PUD hopes the project can help the utility drive down the cost of its power grid and make greater use of wind power.

However, the energy storage system and its huge battery is still missing a critical piece of software.

That software, which allows for remote control and greater flexibility in using the battery, is ready to be installed once the Snohomish County Public Utility District is finished upgrading the system it uses to control its grid, said Dave Kaplan, CEO of 1Energy Systems, which developed the software for the PUD.

That could happen as soon as next month, he said.

The delay was because of a disagreement between the PUD and Seattle-based 1Energy Systems over whether the software was to be developed for the first energy storage system project, called MESA 1, or for a related project to develop a control system for managing multiple energy storage systems connected to the PUD’s grid, he said.

The PUD has been operating the system at a substation near Paine Field since July. Without the scheduling software, the system and its giant battery have been charging and discharging at fixed times. Changes to the schedule have to be uploaded into the system on site.

To work effectively and economically, energy storage systems need powerful control and scheduling software capable of quickly responding to changing conditions, such as a windstorm driving up wind-generated electricity, said Jason Zyskowski, the PUD’s engineer overseeing the MESA 1 project.

This $7.4 million project, though, is not about making or saving money. It’s about learning, he said. “This project is not based on a business case. It’s an R-and-D case.”

Energy storage systems give power grids greater flexibility and make it easier and cheaper to deliver cleaner electricity to homes and businesses, advocates say.

However, the technology is still young, expensive and can vary greatly because of proprietary designs.

Those are among the reasons that energy storage systems are rarely used by utilities, he said.

“If each system you install is different and proprietary, when you try to troubleshoot it in the middle of the night, it is really complicated,” he said.

In 2011, the PUD set out on an ambitious research and development effort to make utility-size energy storage systems cheaper and more widespread. The PUD expects to spend about $23.5 million on four projects that are part of that effort. The state’s Department of Commerce is covering $7.3 million of that, with taxpayer money from its Clean Energy Fund.

The PUD tapped Seattle-based 1Energy to lead the projects. A former Microsoft executive and cleantech entrepreneur, Kaplan had been a PUD employee in 2010 and 2011.

The district awarded several no-bid contracts to 1Energy starting in 2011.

The noncompetitive contracts and close relationship between Kaplan and the PUD’s former CEO Steve Klein prompted a whistleblower complaint this past spring. The PUD hired a Seattle-based attorney to investigate the allegations. The attorney found that the PUD and Kaplan had broken PUD policy by failing to avoid the appearance of favoritism.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.