Viridi deployment and local context

A municipal wastewater lift station in New York moved from diesel-based backup to a lithium-ion battery energy storage installation supplied by Viridi. The change targets routine outages and testing events — scenarios where batteries can curb fuel use and mechanical wear on conventional gensets.

Cost structure and incentives

The system’s installed price was reported at $130,000, but federal provisions reduced net municipal spending substantially. Using the federal investment credit plus an additional domestic-content bonus, the municipality netted an effective upfront spend of $78,000.

Technical performance and lifetime

Viridi’s packs employ NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) cells inside a passive, fail-safe architecture designed to contain a single-cell thermal event and stop propagation. The battery chemistry is rated for roughly 4,000 full cycles before usable capacity reaches about 80% of original; in low-cycle municipal duty the system is expected to remain effective for well over two decades.

Operational savings and lifecycle impact

By carrying most outage events, the battery minimizes generator run-hours and therefore reduces recurring expenses like testing, fuel handling, and service contracts. Typical annual generator-related spending ranges were provided, and when combined with deferred replacement exposure the lifecycle economic value from reduced generator reliance sits in the mid five-figure band per year.

• Routine generator testing & inspections: $3,000–$6,000
• Fuel management & replacement: $2,000–$4,000
• Preventive contracts & testing: $3,000–$6,000

Safety validation and suitability

Independent UL-style thermal abuse testing reportedly showed the pack stopped escalation beyond the initiating cell, with no detectable external flames or smoke in the trial. The enclosures are industrial-grade and rated for field conditions, making them suited for deployment near populated sites and critical infrastructure.

Program scaling and policy environment

Viridi is packaging similar offers under a state-focused infrastructure program aimed at traffic signals, camera systems, and other assets that historically relied on diesel backup. New York incentives — including an inclusive storage incentive in select zip codes — can further reduce or eliminate upfront costs for qualifying municipalities.

Takeaway for municipal operators

For local governments weighing replacement or hardening projects, the combination of federal credits, state programs, and lower operating burden creates a tighter total-cost-of-ownership case for batteries versus continuing generator-driven strategies.