Stem's AI Technology Optimizes Grid Integration at 57 MW California Solar Project

Stem, a global leader in AI-driven clean energy software and services, has successfully deployed its advanced energy system at the 57-megawatt (MW) Camino Solar project in Kern County, California, developed by Avangrid, a subsidiary of Iberdrola. The project highlights Stem’s ability to optimize renewable energy assets, transforming them into flexible grid resources and demonstrating the value of integrating intelligent energy solutions with solar generation. The Camino Solar project, Stem’s third collaboration with Avangrid, utilized its PowerTrack™ Power Plant Controller (PPC) and data acquisition system. This implementation met the IEEE 2800 standard, a critical benchmark for interconnecting inverter-based resources with the grid. The standard, approved by the IEEE Standards Association in 2022, ensures technical requirements for reliability and performance, and its enforcement by grid operators like California’s Independent System Operator (CAISO) is still emerging. Stem’s PPC system was engineered to function as if the 57-MW facility were a 300-MW project, showcasing its scalability and efficiency. The data acquisition system monitors nearly 8,000 real-time data points, fulfilling CAISO’s telemetry needs for grid operations and market participation. Matt Tappin, Stem’s President of Software Products, emphasized the project’s significance in aligning renewable assets with grid demands. “This milestone underscores how Stem’s platform turns solar projects into dynamic grid resources,” he said. “Meeting IEEE 2800 standards reflects our engineering expertise in addressing evolving grid requirements while maximizing performance. We’re proud to partner with developers like Avangrid who prioritize multi-dimensional value—economic, environmental, and grid reliability.” Avangrid’s CEO, Jose Antonio Miranda, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving energy goals. “Working with Stem has been vital to the Camino Solar project’s success,” he noted. “This achievement reinforces our commitment to delivering solutions that meet America’s growing energy needs through innovation and infrastructure expansion.” The project’s economic impact extends beyond energy production, with an estimated $15 million in state and local tax revenue over its lifetime. During construction, it created around 100 jobs, primarily filled by local union workers, underscoring the broader benefits of renewable energy development. Stem’s PowerTrack platform is designed to enhance grid integration for solar and storage projects, enabling them to contribute to system stability and efficiency. As inverter-based resources like solar become more common, standards like IEEE 2800 are critical for maintaining grid reliability. The Camino Solar deployment further solidifies Stem’s role as a key provider of intelligent energy solutions for the renewable sector. Stem, which operates under the ticker NYSE: STEM, serves over 16,000 global customers, offering tools to optimize clean energy assets. Avangrid, part of Iberdrola, focuses on expanding grid infrastructure and energy generation, with a networks business serving 3.4 million customers and a power generation portfolio producing 10.5 GW of electricity. The company has been recognized for corporate responsibility and ethical practices, including being named to the JUST 100 and World’s Most Ethical Companies lists. The project marks a step forward in Stem’s efforts to support the transition to sustainable energy, with its solutions addressing the complexities of modern grid systems. The company continues to work with developers to ensure renewable projects deliver maximum value while adhering to regulatory and technical standards.