Always looking for innovations, Lake Region has continued to create opportunities. Building off the Wind Solar Hybrid Project, LREC has been conducting a pilot project to test the potential for large capacity water heaters to act as thermal storage batteries!
Here’s how it works: each night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. a participant's water heater heats up the equivalent of at least 150
gallons of water. At 6 a.m. the heating elements in the participants' water heater shut off, until turning back on at 10 a.m. The large amount of water that was just heated up is typically plenty for morning showers, laundry, or other needs. A similar rotation happens in the evening where the participants' heating elements shut off at 6pm and turn back on at 10pm.
Turning off the heating elements in the participants' water heaters during these time frames frees up energy during peak use times, reducing the demand on the grid. The community storage pilot allows LREC to turn those water heaters back on if the Wind Solar Hybrid project is generating more power than is being used. Heating water on this schedule allows LREC to manage some of the load during peak morning and evening hours and participants get access to a special rate that lowers the cost of their power, and pairing it with the renewable project takes it a step beyond traditional load control programs.
The Community Storage Pilot Project has been a successful addition to LREC’s existing load management programs, of which 45% of their members (so far) have chosen to participate in. According to Aafedt, most of the members who participate in the pilot don’t notice a difference with their hot water.
This pilot project not only benefits the grid but also showcases how everyday appliances, like water heaters, can play a role in a more sustainable energy future. This thermal storage pilot proved that the concept works well, but Aafedt notes that the cooperative would need many more water heaters to absorb all the excess energy generated by the hybrid project, especially during the shoulder months when heating and cooling loads are low.
LREC’s innovative approach to energy management demonstrates the power of member-focused solutions. By integrating the hybrid project with thermal storage, LREC is reducing strain on the grid and making better use of renewable energy, while helping members save on energy costs. As electrification accelerates—with more homes adopting heat pumps, EVs, and other electric technologies—smart load management strategies like this will be increasingly important.