Viridi Parente, Inc. is expanding operations at its 42-acre green tech campus in Buffalo, NY to meet robust demand for its innovative battery technology solutions. The company is adding 70,000 square feet to its operations, expanding its total research lab, assembly, office, and production space to 190,000 square feet. The expansion will also integrate automation features such as robotic welding technology and a vertical lift management system throughout the manufacturing space.
“The transition from fossil fuels to safer, quieter energy sources is gaining momentum, and Viridi Parente is leading the way,” said Jon M. Williams, CEO of Viridi Parente. “Demand for our Green Machine mobile construction and industrial machinery solution has never been greater, and our Volta energy storage solution for residential, medical, commercial, and industrial applications is about to break all the traditional market entry barriers. We hope this expansion is the first of many as we continue developing new options for safe, quiet, reliable energy sources.”
Viridi Parente deploys safe battery technology into applications historically dominated by fossil fuel energy sources. The company’s architecture for its Green Machine mobile energy solution for the industrial market and its Volta Energy Products energy storage system for industrial, medical, commercial, municipal, and residential users is the only design in the market that can be safely installed and operated in nearly any environment or location.
Located in urban Buffalo, Viridi Parente’s 850,000-square-foot facility was originally constructed in 1923 by GM as its first manufacturing facility outside of Michigan. It was previously occupied by American Axle & Manufacturing before the company abandoned it in 2007.
The site was purchased in 2008 by Williams and renovated from a fossil-fuel-powered plant into a solar-powered facility, making it a model adaptive reuse project and a fitting representation of Viridi Parente’s production of sustainable energy products that displace traditional fossil fuel generation.
Working with Alberici Constructors of St. Louis, MO, a builder with automotive and manufacturing experience, Viridi Parente will convert the nearly 100-year-old facility into a state-of-the-art manufacturing space. SSOE Group, an architecture, engineering, and construction management firm, is working with Alberici Constructors on the project.
“We are excited to partner with Viridi Parente on this innovative battery technology facility. Our team brings decades of automotive and manufacturing industry expertise to this project that will enhance production capabilities and quality for our valued client,” said Aaron Walsh, Alberici general manager, automotive market.
“SSOE is excited to apply our specialized lithium-ion battery plant design expertise to this project as Viridi Parente looks to revolutionize the future of distributed energy and in a way that is both economically viable and environmentally friendly,” added Nicholas Bryan, PMP, SSOE Group project manager. “We look forward to ensuring the design of the facility supports these same core values through innovative design solutions that are both sustainable and cost-effective
The expanded space includes 30,000 square feet for lab and assembly and an additional 40,000 square feet for increased shipping and receiving capacity. The company currently occupies 120,000 square feet of the campus facility with the following:
- 60,000 square feet of battery and machine assembly space featuring automotive-grade QA/QC, a fully integrated assembly process, and an industry-leading flexible assembly platform
- 20,000 square feet of office and lab space, including a dedicated state-of-the-art battery testing lab for life cycle cell and module testing, destructive cell testing, thermal testing, and R&D
- 40,000-square-foot shipping and receiving warehouse
“This campus was an economic engine for the community over the last 100 years. It ushered in the industrial revolution in Buffalo and the Northeastern United States. With this came jobs, communities, families, and prosperity,” Williams said. “Viridi is working to usher in the technological revolution that will bring prosperity back to 14215 and the Northeastern United States for the next 100 years.”
In addition to Viridi Parente, the campus is occupied by eight tenants, including green tech companies and nonprofits and community organizations. Located in zip code 14215, one of America’s most impoverished communities, Viridi Parente’s site is a strategic base for nonprofits working to improve the quality of life for surrounding residents. As part of the company’s commitment to engaging with the community, organizations such as Catholic Charities and the Buffalo Peacemakers are also housed on the campus. These groups provide residents with access to critical resources that meet their basic needs as well as education, skills training, and job opportunities.
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