SolarReserve began commissioning the 110-MW Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, the first utility-scale facility to feature advanced molten salt power tower energy storage capabilities, located near Tonopah, Nevada. Commissioning activities include energization of the utility interconnection system and other electrical systems.
NRG Energy and Virgin Limited Edition entered into a diesel reduction agreement for the provision of renewable power to Necker Island. Pursuant to this agreement, NRG will develop a renewables-driven microgrid for the entire island, supplying reliable electricity powered at least 75% by an integrated array of solar, wind and energy storage technologies.
Assessing the risks and rewards of distributed energy strategies.
Abengoa was selected by the Ministry of Energy of the Chilean Government and Corfo (Corporacion de Fomento de la Produccion) to develop a $1 billion, 110-MW solar plant using tower technology with 17.5 hours of thermal energy storage using molten salts. The project will be located in the Atacama Desert and will be the first solar-thermal plant for direct electricity production in South America. Construction is due to start in the second half of 2014.
Utility transformation guided by improved customer insight.
ClearEdge Power, a manufacturer of scalable, distributed power systems, has closed on its acquisition of UTC Power, the fuel-cell production subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously approved a decision ordering Southern California Edison (SCE) to procure between 1,400 and 1,800 MW of energy capacity in the Los Angeles basin to meet long-term local requirements by 2021. Of this amount, at least 50 MW is required by the CPUC to be procured by SCE from energy storage resources, as well as up to an additional total of 600 MW of capacity required to be procured from preferred resources – including energy storage. “Preferred resources” also include energy efficiency, demand respon
Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, BP Wind Energy and community leaders dedicated the new Auwahi wind facility on Ulupalakua Ranch in Hawaii. The 21-MW Auwahi Wind facility is BP and Sempra’s first alternative energy venture in Hawaii. The project features a 4.4-MWh grid battery system, which at its peak, can sustain 11 MW of capacity for approximately 25 minutes. The battery system helps regulate and sustain power to Maui Electric Co.’s grid during light wind conditions.
CALMAC is now a member of the Texas Energy Storage Alliance (TESA), a technology-neutral coalition of energy storage technology product and service companies. By joining the Alliance, CALMAC will address summer peak energy demands and provide knowledge of thermal energy storage for reducing a buildings peak energy load.
Duke Energy Renewables, part of Duke Energy's Commercial Businesses, completed its 36-MW energy storage and power management system at its Notrees Windpower Project in west Texas. The system completed testing and became fully operational in December 2012. Xtreme Power designed and installed the 36-MW capacity Dynamic Power Resource at Notrees and will continue to operate the system. In addition to increasing the supply of renewable energy during periods of peak demand, the system will help stabilize the frequency of electricity traveling throughout the power grid.