San Diego Community Power’s board authorized the chief executive officer on Dec. 11 to execute a master services agreement with Ascend Analytics for energy storage optimization services, approving a not‑to‑exceed amount of $2.5 million for the initial three‑year term and $2.0 million for any renewal term.

Janine Kamara, director of portfolio management, told the board that the Smart Bidder platform will allow staff to manage resource‑specific bidding strategies, integrate price forecasts with internal planning systems and update bids in near real time to reflect grid emergencies or market conditions. “Daily optimization of Community Power’s battery projects is an ongoing operating expense of the power supply portfolio,” she said while describing work‑order and integration timing.

Why it matters: Community Power expects a growing fleet of battery energy storage systems, either standalone or paired with renewable generation; optimization software helps shift charging to midday low‑price periods and dispatch energy when prices are higher, capturing market revenues and reducing the risk of renewable energy curtailments.

Contract details: The agreement covers an initial three‑year term with one‑year renewal options. Staff said the $2.5 million figure assumes all approved projects come online and use the platform; new projects will be added through work orders and charges begin approximately three months before commercial operation.

Board action: The motion to authorize the CEO to execute the agreement was moved, seconded and approved on a roll call vote.

Next steps: Staff will onboard Smart Bidder with the scheduling coordinator and integrate price forecasts into resource planning; costs for the service will be part of operating energy costs and tracked through the power supply budget.