Edison International announced it has established commercial agreements with Tesla as part of its launch of a new line of Tesla Energy products. Southern California Edison (SCE), the regulated utility subsidiary of Edison International, and SoCore Energy, a subsidiary of Edison Energy that provides rooftop solar systems, are implementing energy storage projects that feature Tesla Powerpacks.

“We are excited to work with a cutting-edge company like Tesla to help create a market for battery storage systems,” said Ron Litzinger, executive vice president of Edison International and president of Edison Energy. “The ability to store energy in batteries by both residential and commercial customers is key to expanding the nation’s use of clean renewable power.”

“This is an important, industry-changing development for the future of solar power,” said Pete Kadens, president of SoCore Energy. “We look forward to working with Tesla to bring battery storage technology to our customers.”

SCE is working with Tesla on two demonstration projects that can help reduce the cost of battery storage systems for residential and business customers. These demand response demonstration projects will test communication capabilities and explore rebates to customers who allow SCE to manage their battery charging in order to increase the use of renewable energy while ensuring continued grid reliability.

The first demonstration project is related to residential customers, targeting homeowners in SCE’s service territory who have solar panels already installed with battery storage capability. The second demonstration project focuses on commercial and industrial customers who require a larger energy storage capacity. These two projects are expected to be in place and operational in 2015.

Separately, SoCore Energy is working with Cinemark Holdings, Inc., to design and install Tesla batteries at two of their theatre properties in Southern California. Cinemark theatres in Lancaster, Calif., and Orange, Calif., will feature Tesla battery units that will be charged with electricity from the grid during nonpeak hours at night. The battery system at the Lancaster site will be able to store up to 800 kilowatt-hours, while the Orange site will have a capacity of 1,200 kilowatt-hours, for use during peak periods. Cinemark and SoCore Energy are looking at additional locations for potential battery installations.