Enel X has signed an agreement with Ontario-based food packaging company Amhil North America for the installation and operation of a 2.34 MW/4.7 MWh lithium-ion, behind-the-meter energy storage system.

Amhil North America manufactures recyclable and microwavable PET and polypropylene food containers, drink cups and portion cups. Under the terms of the agreement, Enel X will purchase, install and operate the battery on behalf of Amhil North America. The companies will share the savings, which are expected to be created by the Enel X DEN.OS optimization software that controls the battery. Enel X will also provide demand management services and enroll the energy storage system in Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) demand-response program.

Enel X’s DEN.OS (Distributed Energy Network Optimization System) software will optimize battery usage during peak hours and allow Amhil to enhance its participation in Ontario’s demand-response program. The DEN.OS platform will analyze Amhil’s energy consumption patterns and execute a control strategy to maximize total economic value from all available energy streams.

The new system will be installed at Amhil’s facility in Mississauga, Ontario. The project should be completed by the end of this year, and is expected to help Amhil save 20 percent in energy expenses throughout the 11-year contract period.

“Our customized energy storage system will help Amhil optimize its energy usage and costs, expand its existing demand-response program, as well as boosting the energy resilience of its local food packaging facility,” says Michael Storch, head of Enel X in North America. Enel X provides tailored, integrated solutions that meet the specific energy needs of companies and can be scaled to fit the needs of their businesses.

“Amhil North America is committed to sustainable business practices, both in our products and the resources needed to produce them,” says Mark Johnston, VP Manufacturing of Amhil North America. “For years, we have taken a proactive approach to managing and optimizing our energy usage, particularly during peak periods. With the new energy storage facility, we will benefit from significant cost savings, additional demand response revenues, all while reducing our overall energy dependence.”

The Enel X storage system’s energy intelligence software allows Amhil North America to monetize its energy storage system by participating in Ontario’s IESO program, which pays large energy consumers for being on standby, ready to reduce their electricity consumption in response to grid system needs, as well as providing incremental payments if and when they are dispatched. By tapping into the energy stored in the battery, Amhil North America can reduce its energy consumption when required by the grid to contribute to its stability, without any impact on the company’s overall operations.

With this new system, Enel X expands its energy storage footprint in Canada. Earlier this year, Enel X launched its first energy storage project in Canada, a 1 MWh lithium-ion behind-the-meter battery system at Algoma Orchards in Ontario.