The City of San Francisco is set to embark on a significant initiative to enhance battery storage solutions in residential buildings, following a recent government meeting. The project, which is part of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), aims to develop a comprehensive study in two phases.

The first phase will focus on single-family homes and duplexes, identified as the most straightforward cases for integrating battery storage. The second phase will expand the scope to include larger multifamily buildings and additional policy considerations. This strategic approach aims to expedite the study's completion, with the first phase expected to be finalized quickly.

To kick off this project, the city plans to utilize an existing contract with the international consulting firm ARUP, which has a local office in San Francisco. ARUP has a proven track record, having conducted similar studies for various city departments. Their proposal to complete both phases of the study by March next year comes at a cost of $75,000. The city officials expressed confidence in ARUP's expertise, noting their responsiveness and positive feedback from other departments that have previously collaborated with them.

This initiative reflects San Francisco's commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions and improving energy efficiency in residential buildings, setting the stage for a more sustainable future.