Ice Energy, a leading provider of distributed thermal energy storage solutions, is a founding member of the recently launched Community Storage Initiative, a national organization of industry groups that includes utility trade associations, environmental groups, manufacturers and more than a dozen utilities.

Santa Barbara, Calif. - May 9, 2016 - Ice Energy, a leading provider of distributed thermal energy storage solutions, is a founding member of the recently launched Community Storage Initiative, a national organization of industry groups that includes utility trade associations, environmental groups, manufacturers and more than a dozen utilities.

"Ice Energy has been delivering locally sited energy storage solutions for over 10 years. Ice Bear systems are the very definition of community storage, and were pleased to be a founding member of this organization," said Mike Hopkins, CEO of Ice Energy. "Energy storage systems like our ice batteries and other best-in-class technologies are accelerating the transformation of the grid, improving efficiency and reliability, saving money, and reducing the use of fossil fuels."

Community storage refers to a range of utility-sponsored programs that aggregate storage resources located throughout the community, such as water heaters, electric vehicles, and ice batteries, to improve the efficiency of electricity service for consumers. Like community solar, community storage enables customers and utilities to share the system-wide benefits of energy storage in communities both large and small. Such programs maximize the value of distributed energy resources, many of which are eligible to participate in energy storage programs through simple retrofits and program design.

Ice Energy is a recognized pioneer and well-established community storage provider that has been deploying behind-the-meter energy storage for over a decade. The companys systems are operating across North America in community settings including California (Riverside, Redding, Glendale, Los Angeles, etc.), Colorado and Maine.

The companys flagship product, the Ice Bear 30, is an ice battery that attaches to one or more standard commercial air conditioning units located on customer premises. During off-peak hours, Ice Bears freeze water to store cooling energy. During times of peak power demand, stored ice provides up to six hours of cooling using only 5% of the power that would otherwise be needed. In February, Ice Energy unveiled a residential model, the Ice Bear 20, which actually replaces a home AC unit.

Ice Bear systems can be deployed in smart grid-enabled, megawatt-scale fleets, giving utilities enhanced grid visibility and flexible control over power usage, while providing many customer benefits. Ice Energy also offers its products directly to consumers. More than 1,000 Ice Bear systems have been deployed in over 40 utility service territories nationwide, surpassing 34 million hours of reliable, energy-saving operation. Another 41 megawatts (MW) of Ice Bear systems are in the process of being installed.

About Ice Energy
Ice Energys Ice Bear units deliver behind-the-meter thermal storage for HVAC systems, providing peak capacity to over 40 utility service territories nationwide. With contracts to deliver 25.6 MW of storage to Southern California Edison in partnership with NRG Energy, 5 MW in Riverside, CA, 6 MW in Redding, CA, and an additional 100+ MW in the sales pipeline, the company is expanding quickly in the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit www.ice-energy.com.