NRG Energy and Ice Energy have partnered to provide 25.6 megawatts of behind-the-meter energy storage to reduce power consumption during peak periods in Southern California.

Last fall, Ice Energy of Glendale, Calif. won 16 contracts from Southern California Edison to deploy its Ice Bear units over the next six years, as part of the utility’s 250-megawatt storage procurement.

Ice Bears offer a unique solution for peak-load management by freezing ice at night when power demand is low and electricity is cheap, and then using that ice to provide cooling to power-intensive air conditioning units during the heat of day. Each Ice Bear can defer about 10 kilowatts of power use per day, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to four tons per year.

To meet the 25.6-megawatt contract, Ice Energy expects to deploy roughly 1,800 of its Ice Bears on commercial rooftop AC units, starting in July 2016. The storage company will be responsible for manufacturing the Ice Bears, managing site acquisition, installation and providing maintenance to the units. SCE will buy the capacity over the 20-year contract period, which is roughly the lifespan of an Ice Bear unit.