Battery Breakthroughs: Why Redwood’s Energy Storage Is a Game-Changer for Today’s Warehouses
Northern Nevada has long been a logistics powerhouse and now, it’s gaining serious momentum in advanced manufacturing and tech infrastructure. At Miller Industrial Properties, we’re watching this shift reshape the region’s industrial real estate market in real time.
As warehouse operators and industrial users continue to expand, so does the demand for reliable, sustainable power. While massive data centers are fueling big conversations around grid capacity, a quiet but powerful shift is happening just outside Reno and for warehouse users and industrial operators, it’s one worth paying attention to.
Enter: Redwood Materials and its growing fleet of second-life battery storage systems.
Read more from Redwood Energy here: Redwood Energy: Fast, low-cost storage to power the age of AI and a changing grid
Battery storage units deployed by Redwood Energy in Northern Nevada. Photo courtesy of RedwoodMaterials.com.
A Smart, Scalable Win for Industrial Users
Redwood Materials is taking used EV batteries and giving them a second life - right here in Northern Nevada. For industrial tenants, it’s a practical and forward-looking solution that meets today’s energy needs while preparing for tomorrow’s grid challenges.
Resilience Without Overload - Warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing operations often face power interruptions or peak-hour costs. Redwood’s battery storage provides on-site backup and load-shifting - without adding to the strain of the grid.
Sustainable Power for Sustainable Operations - These second-life batteries still retain more than 50% of their original charge. While they may be past their EV lifespan, they’re perfect for low to mid-scale industrial energy needs. Even better, using them supports waste reduction and ESG goals, without sacrificing performance.
Fast Setup, Seamless Integration for Industrial Facilities - Unlike traditional backup systems or solar infrastructure, these modular batteries are quick to deploy, easy to integrate and don’t require the long lead times or permitting hurdles of new infrastructure projects. That’s a major advantage for warehouse users and light manufacturers in the Reno-Sparks region who need flexible, reliable power solutions without delay.
Looking Ahead: Not the Full Grid Solution (Yet)
Let’s be real: data centers consume gigawatts of power and second-life battery deployments aren’t enough to support that scale… yet.
But that doesn’t mean we should overlook the momentum. Redwood’s recent 63 MWh battery installation just outside of Reno, now the largest second-life deployment in North America, is a proof of concept that shows where the future could be headed. As companies layer in solar and other renewable sources, these systems could become a key part of grid-connected energy strategies across Northern Nevada.
From the Broker’s Perspective: Why This Matters Now
The biggest opportunity here is for today’s warehouse, logistics and light manufacturing users:
Add resilient backup power without large, upfront investments
Lower your vulnerability to NV Energy peak pricing (apologies to my friends over there working hard on the grid)
Move towards greener, more adaptable operations
Support Nevada-born innovation and keep value local
If you’re operating in Reno or greater Northern Nevada, battery storage systems should absolutely be on your radar. They offer real, tangible benefits that are ready now and they signal the type of smart, scalable solutions that will define the next chapter of industrial growth in our region.
The energy future in Northern Nevada isn’t on the horizon, it’s already unfolding, and industrial users have a front-row seat.
If you're weighing a new lease, expansion or facility upgrade and wondering how energy impacts your next move, let’s talk. (775) 830-4428 | beki@mipnv.com
