An energy storage system controller, including: an energy storage system coupled to a power distribution system; and a processor in communication with the energy storage system, wherein the processor executes: a renewables capacity firming algorithm operable for conditioning intermittent power of a renewable energy station using real time and historical input data such that it is made more stable and non-intermittent, optionally utilizing one or more parameter values associated with comparable time periods taking into account one or more factors comprising cloud state; and a peak load shaving algorithm operable for ensuring that the energy storage system is capable of transmitting full power capacity at a predicted feeder peak load time determined by the processor from real time and historical input data; wherein the performance of the renewables capacity firming algorithm and the performance of the peak load shaving algorithm are optimized in parallel.