Report to City Council
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TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Melissa Walker, Public Works Director/City Engineer
AGENDA DATE: December 16, 2025
TITLE: PURCHASE OF ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
(REPORT OF: PUBLIC WORKS) (ALL DISTRICTS)
TITLE SUMMARY: Authorization Of A Purchase Agreement with ELM Fieldsight, LLC For The Purchase of Energy Storage
Systems
DISTRICT: All Districts
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a three (3) year Purchase Agreement with ELM Fieldsight LLC with two (2) optional renewal periods of two (2) years each (up to seven (7) years), for the purchase of energy storage system equipment for capital projects and emergency response by Moreno Valley Electric Utility. Funded by the Moreno Valley Electric Utility’s Operating Fund (Fund 6010) and Electric-Restricted Assets Fund (Fund 6011); and
2. Authorize the issuance of purchase orders to ELM Fieldsight, LLC for energy storage systems for capital projects and emergency response as needed in the amount not to exceed a total of $25,076,169 and up to the approved annual budget for Fiscal Year s 2025/26 through 2028/29, when the contract has been signed by all parties; and
3. Authorize the Ci ty Manager to execute subsequent purchase orders and/or change orders to said purchase order up to the approved annual budget, subject to the approval of the City Attorney.
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4. Authorize the City Manager to execute any subsequent Amendments to the Agreement with ELM Fieldsight, LLC for Fiscal Years 2025/26 through 2032/33 up to the City Council approved annual budgeted amounts, including the authority to authorize the associated purchase orders in accordance with the terms of the agreement, subject to the approval of the City Attorney.
SUMMARY
This report recommends authorizing a purchase agreement with ELM Fieldsight, LLC for the purchase of energy storage systems for Moreno Valley Electric Utility (MVU). The energy storage systems will be used for upcoming electric utility capital projects to install energy storage on MVU’s electric grid. These assets will play a key role in increasing reliability and resilience of MVU’s electric grid and will allow MVU to have more renewable energy in its system.
DISCUSSION
The proposed purchase agreement with ELM Fieldsight , LLC, DBA ELM Microgrid LLC, supports Moreno Valley Electric Utility’s (MVU) long-term strategy to enhance grid reliability, resiliency, and operational flexibility. As MVU continues to expand and modernize its electric infrastructure, the integration of distributed and utility-scale energy storage systems has become a critical co mponent of meeting future energy demands.
These systems will help MVU manage peak load, improve power quality, and reduce dependence on external energy supply during high-cost or high-risk periods. By securing a multi -year procurement pathway, the City ens ures that MVU can implement these assets in alignment with its capital improvement plans and operational needs.
Energy storage systems also advance MVU’s efforts to increase renewable energy penetration within the local grid. As solar and other intermittent resources become a larger part of the energy portfolio, storage provides the necessary balancing capability to store excess generation and deliver it when needed. This reduces curtailment, stabilizes fluctuations in supply, and ultimately supports MVU’s commitment to providing clean and reliable service to Moreno Valley residents and businesses. ELM is an experienced provider of storage technologies Fieldsight, LLC, and partnering with them ensures MVU can implement systems that are technically aligned with industry standards and long-term performance expectations.
In addition to supporting planned capital projects, the flexible nature of the agreement allows MVU to utilize these storage systems for emergency response and resilience planning. Energy storage can provide backup power during grid outages, support critical City facilities, and improve MVU’s ability to respond quickly in the event of natural disasters or equipment failures. This multi -use functionality strengthens the City’s preparedness while reducing future procurement delays during emergency situations.
Authorizing the City Manager to execute purchase orders and amendments within approved budgetary limits provides administrative efficiency and ensures timely project delivery. Because these cap ital improvements span multiple fiscal years, the ability to issue purchase orders up to the annual budgeted amounts allows MVU to align
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procurement with project schedules and market conditions. This approach provides both fiscal oversight and operational flexibility, enabling MVU to manage the deployment of energy storage resources effectively throughout the 2025/ 26–2032/33 fiscal years. This would cover the initial 3-year term of the agreement, as well as the two optional two-year extension terms if both parties mutually agreed to extend after the initial term.
A Request for Proposals (RFP ) for Battery Energy Storage Systems from qualified vendors was posted publicly by MV U on the procurement platform OpenGov. The RF P for the project was advertised in OpenGov on June 18, 2025, and seven (7) responsive proposals were received from the following vendors:
1. ELM Fieldsight, LLC
2. Moment Energy
3. DHC Power, LLC
4. EPC Energy, Inc.
5. EVO Power USA, Inc.
6. LilyPad EV, LLC
7. Nason Huaye Trading, Inc.
The intent of the RFP was to assess the proposals submitted with an intent to award multiple qualified vendors if possible. Awarding to multiple vendors will allow MVU to ensure it has access to mul tiple solutions in the case of supply chain issues and implement a variety of storage solutions for both small scale and larger scale applications.
Subsequent agreements for other vendors will be brought to the City Council for approval in future council agendas.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve and authorize the recommended actions as presented in this staff report.
Staff recommend s this alternative to ensure that MVU increases reliability and resilience of the electric grid and will allow MVU to have more renewable energy in its system.
2. Do not approve and authorize the recommended actions as presented in this staff report. Staff does not recommend this alternative as it will limit the ability for MVU to serve new customers in the eastern portion of the City.
FISCAL IMPACT
Purchases made under this agreement for Fiscal Year s 2025/26 through Fiscal Year 2028/29 will be funded by the various projects included in the Adopted FY 2025/26 & 2026/27 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and will be funded by the Moreno Valley Utility’s Electric-Restricted Asset Fund (6011) and Operating Fund (6010). There is no impact to the General Fund.
NOTIFICATION
Posting of the agenda.
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PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Kamran Aladross, P.E. Melissa Walker, P.E.
Electric Utility Assistant Manager Public Works Director/City Engineer Concurred By:
Jason Niccoli, P.E.
Electric Utility Division Manager
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Positive Environment: Create a positive environment for the development of Moreno Valley's future.
Public Facilities and Capital Projects: Ensure that needed public facilities, roadway improvements, and other infrastructure improvements are constructed and maintained.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Public Safety
3. Library
4. Infrastructure
5. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
6. Youth Programs
Objective 1.5: Showcase Moreno Valley’s unique assets.
Objective 4.2: Develop and maintain a comprehensive Infrastructure Plan to invest in and deliver City infrastructure.
Objective 4.5: Explore green/renewable innovations and technologies for new developments such as the World Logistics Center.
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Report Approval Details
Document Title: STAFFREPORT_PW_MVU_BESS.docx
Attachments: - Draft Purchase Agreement - ELM Field Sight.pdf Final Approval Date: Dec 10, 2025
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Melissa Walker
Sean Kelleher
Natalia Lopez
No Signature - Task assigned to Dena Heald_Deleted was completed by workflow administrator Patty Rodriguez
Dena Heald_Deleted
Launa Jimenez
Brian Mohan
Patty Rodriguez