With the expansion, the company's footprint in Research Building VII will grow to 2,800 square-feet, room it expects to fill with employees as demand for its product grows.
PowerHub Systems – a spin-off of Blacksburg-based VPT Inc. – was cofounded in 2008 by Drs. Glenn Skutt and Jack Lesko. The company’s “smart battery” energy storage units enable utility providers to integrate intermittent renewable energy sources - like residential solar and wind - into the power grid.
In February, PowerHub’s first Community Energy Storage units – developed in cooperation with GridPoint Corporation and Saft Batteries – were successfully deployed and commissioned by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in one of the nation’s largest municipal residential solar projects.
In the wake of achieving this milestone, another California utility has already placed an order for three of PowerHub’s units with even greater battery capacity.
“Launching and growing PowerHub in Blacksburg has been made easier by the strong relationships in the entrepreneurial community presented by the VT Corporate Research Center,” said Dr. Skutt, who holds the title of President of PowerHub Systems. “Access to university talent and technology continues to support our growth from this initial prototype demonstration, to opportunities for producing and selling our Community Energy Storage units into the growing smart grid market.”
The Montgomery County Economic Development Department worked with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance to support PowerHub’s expansion.
Through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the company will receive funding and services to support the recruitment and training for new employees. PowerHub may also be eligible to claim the Virginia Green Jobs Tax Credit on qualifying new jobs created.
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