Illumine-i launches AI battery sizing tool for PJM markets

Illumine-i has launched IVE BESS in the U.S. to help commercial and industrial customers size behind-the-meter battery projects in under two minutes. The platform starts with New Jersey and the wider PJM footprint, aiming to speed proposals, model utility tariffs and incentives, and support faster storage deployment.

Why it matters: - Commercial and industrial battery projects often stall in weeks of manual engineering, spreadsheet modeling, and tariff review. - Illumine-i says IVE BESS compresses that work into fast, investment-grade proposals, which could speed storage adoption in New Jersey and other PJM markets. - The platform targets developers, EPCs, and energy consultants that need faster go/no-go decisions and clearer project economics.

What happened: - Illumine-i announced the U.S. launch of IVE BESS, an engineering-first energy storage sizing platform for C&I behind-the-meter projects. - The initial rollout covers New Jersey and the broader PJM Interconnection footprint. - The company says the platform can turn raw meter interval data into a 20-year financial business case in under two minutes. - The launch includes support for New Jersey utilities including PSE&G, JCPL, and ACE.

The details: - IVE BESS starts with a site’s 15-minute interval load, solar generation, and local utility tariff. - The platform outputs recommended power and capacity sizing, operational behavior, 20-year NPV, IRR, and month-by-month utility bill impacts. - Illumine-i says the engine also integrates state storage incentives, regional tariff structures, and federal ITC rules. - The proposal output includes an optimized technical design and 8,760-hour simulation depth. - The company says the software is built on its 11 years of engineering solar, battery storage, and grid infrastructure across North America. - Illumine-i positions the tool as a digital extension of its engineering practice rather than a replacement for human expertise. - The company says the product is available immediately for C&I solar developers, energy consultants, and EPCs. - A live demo and more information are available here.

Between the lines: - New Jersey’s demand charges, time-of-use rates, and stricter solar export rules are making battery storage more attractive economically. - The launch suggests Illumine-i sees software-led sizing as a way to reduce friction in a market where utility-specific rules can slow project development. - The planned expansion into Illinois and California points to a broader push into high-growth storage markets beyond PJM.

What's next: - Illumine-i plans to expand IVE BESS into additional North American markets during 2026. - The next markets named by the company are Illinois through ComEd and California through CAISO/SGIP. - The company is also pushing live product demos as the next step for prospective customers.