Some of the project team at the Brigg site. Image: Centrica.

Centrica Business Solutions will convert a decommissioned gas-fired power station in Lincolnshire, England, into a 100MWh battery storage facility.

Working in partnership with GE, the company has started construction of the battery storage project at Brigg and will provide energy storage for 43 onshore wind farms across the county.

In doing so, this will optimise the performance of the renewable energy generation projects and provide a means to store the green energy for when demand increases.

“Investing in low-carbon energy assets that boost the UK’s ability to store more renewable energy is key to getting to net zero,” said Greg McKenna, managing director of Centrica Business Solutions.

“Lincolnshire has 242MW of onshore wind power capacity, but when supply outstrips demand some of those green electrons will go to waste if not stored. Working with GE we’ll store green energy produced locally and use it as efficiently as possible.”

The battery storage system will be supplied by GE and will provide grid support and energy services to both provide stability to the grid and ensure the renewable energy is used optimally. 

Brigg represents the largest investment in battery storage capacity Centrica has made to date. The site will be operational in late 2023 with plans to run the site for 25 years.

To read the full version of this story, visit Solar Power Portal.

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Wandoan South BESS, Queensland’s biggest battery storage project to date. Image: Vena Energy.

Queensland gets about 21% of its energy from renewable sources today, but the Australian state’s government has just set an increased target of 70% renewables by 2032.

State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced an Energy and Jobs Plan this morning, which aims to reduce emissions from energy by 90% by 2035, add 22GW of new renewables capacity in Queensland, establish a ‘SuperGrid’ and convert coal power station sites into clean energy hubs.

At the heart of that sits the Queensland Renewable Energy Target (QRET), which aims for the steep trajectory of reaching 50% by 2030 and then 70% within two years of that, then 80% by 2035. The state government is now preparing legislation to put the new target into law.

Other highlights of a multi-faceted plan, the total value of which is claimed by the government to be AU$62 billion (US$39.6 billion), include an aim to deploy 11.5GW of new rooftop solar PV and 6GW of embedded battery storage and stop burning coal at state-owned power plants by 2035.

A AU$4.5 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund will support investments and although the government highlighted the key role of private investment to enable the energy transition, it emphasised that public ownership of transmission and distribution (T&D) and the majority of generation infrastructure will continue.  

The government has also recognised the vital role that energy storage will play in that energy system of the future, with AU$500 million from the Fund to be invested in large-scale and community-level battery storage.

Alongside that, long-duration energy storage (LDES) capacity in the form of two of the world’s biggest pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) plants will be added, and like T&D and generation, these new assets will remain in public ownership.

The PHES plants will be built by 2035 at the Borumba Dam and in the Pioneer/Burdekin region, and Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said they will be even bigger than the Snowy 2.0 scheme, which is currently under construction and adding 2,000MW/350,000MWh of new capacity to existing pumped hydro capacity at the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme in New South Wales.

Queensland aims to be ‘renewables capital of the world’

A state Energy Storage Strategy is being prepared for release in 2024. In August, Queensland’s biggest battery energy storage system (BESS) project to date went online, the 100MW/150MWh Wandoan South BESS project in the state’s Darling Downs region.

The government plan’s launch comes just after Victoria announced its first-ever target for energy storage deployment, one of the biggest in the world, with the state aiming for 6.3GW on its grid by 2035.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said his state is already Australia’s renewable energy capital and now targets being the energy storage capital too.

Meanwhile Queensland’s Palasczczuk went one step further to claim her state will become the world’s renewables capital, which sounds like a healthy sort of competition.

“This plan is all about cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders. It is about turbo-charging new investment in new minerals, batteries and manufacturing. Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new energy. This plan makes Queensland the renewable energy capital of the world,” Premier Palasczczuk said.

“It also takes real and decisive action on climate change providing the biggest commitment to renewable energy in Australia’s history.”

The government claims the plan will help create 100,000 new jobs by 2040 and stimulate activity and investment in manufacturing.

Other aspects of the plan include an ambition to build gas turbines in which hydrogen can be combusted, while the planned SuperGrid will connect up solar, wind, batteries and hydrogen generation across the state.

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The American Clean Power Association (ACP) has added Billie Kaumaya as head of federal affairs, leading the association’s advocacy with lawmakers in the nation’s capital.

Kaumaya brings almost two decades of experience building relationships with legislators in Washington on behalf of industry associations. She joins ACP after serving as legislative affairs director for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where she led their advocacy efforts on renewable energy and energy storage and secured important clean energy provisions in federal legislation. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome Billie to our team leading our legislative efforts and rounding out a world-class Federal Affairs team,” says JC Sandberg, ACP’s chief advocacy officer. “From her years of representing industry groups in Washington, she brings invaluable experience that will advance clean energy policy priorities at a critical time for the industry.” 

In her new role, she will be responsible for leading activities to shape legislative policies and develop, implement and manage federal affairs strategies to advance national energy policies and initiatives in support of clean energy. Prior to her previous role, she worked as the federal legislative director for the National Association of Home Builders, preceded by her time lobbying for the American Institute of Architects. 

Kaumaya joins ACP under the leadership of JC Sandberg, chief advocacy officer, and Bill Parsons, vice president for federal and state affairs.

Image: Mariana Proença on Unsplash

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Global retailer UNIQLO has unveiled its first solar paneled roof in the U.S. with Luminace, the North American decarbonization-as-a-service business of Brookfield Renewable. The 3.4 MW distributed generation solar project at UNIQLO’s new Phillipsburg distribution facility in Warren County was developed and is owned and operated by Luminace.

The project is a significant step in a climate strategy for UNIQLO and its parent company, Fast Retailing.

“My administration’s efforts to reach one hundred percent clean energy by the year 2050 would not be possible without the cooperation of the businesses in our state,” says New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “I thank UNIQLO and Luminace for their collaboration in installing these solar panels on the roof of their nearly one million square foot facility in our very own Phillipsburg, New Jersey. These actions will bring us one step closer to a greener economy and creating a stronger, safer and healthier environment for all New Jerseyans.”

“UNIQLO aims to improve the daily lives of people everywhere through our apparel called LifeWear,” states Daisuke Tsukagoshi, UNIQLO USA’s CEO. “We are proud of this important milestone that extends our mission beyond clothing, helping to make our operations better for the planet. We are honored to have partnered with Luminace, a pioneer in the renewable energy sector, on this state-of-the-art project, which will increase the world’s renewable energy footprint starting from New Jersey.”

“Luminace is pleased to support UNIQLO’S commitment to renewable energy and their goal of carbon neutrality,” adds Valerie Hannah, CEO of Luminace. “This project demonstrates Luminace’s exceptional turnkey decarbonization solutions, providing accessible, reliable, and renewable energy, with no upfront costs to our customers.”

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Jeffrey Max

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc., a developer and manufacturer of lightweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, has named Jeffrey Max as its new CEO, succeeding Victor Lee. 

“It is a privilege to welcome Jeff as our new CEO,” David Peterson, the newly appointed board chair of the company. “He is a proven business leader with a wealth of knowledge and experience in building technology companies and advancing their market positions internationally. As we continue our transition as a newly listed company on Nasdaq, Ascent will benefit greatly from Jeff’s leadership.

“In addition to his extensive background as a CEO, serial entrepreneur and technology investor, Jeff has been a disruptive innovator in today’s evolving space industry. While Jeff understands the space and near space opportunities in front of us, we expect he will also be able to develop other verticals for Ascent’s PV solutions, such as agrivoltaics and sustainably powered infrastructure.”

“Ascent has an incredible group of engineers, led by an incredible innovator and thought leader in PV technologies – Dr. Joe Armstrong,” states Max. “This team, along with the committed dedication of Ascent’s previous leadership, has laid a strong foundation that allows me to integrate a mission-driven, industrial scale culture with the incredible experience and expertise of the Ascent team. This team has the innovation, execution and performance bona fides to ‘meet the moment’ with transformative solutions across a broad range of industries, from agriculture to deep-space missions.”

From 2019 to 2022, Max was chairman and CEO of Agile Space Industries, an in-space propulsion solutions provider. Under his leadership, Agile grew from a team of six to over 60, and acquired Tronix3D, a contract based additive manufacturer specializing in 3D printing of exotic metal alloys.

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Aerial view of Altus Power’s Hinsdale, Mass. facility

Altus Power Inc. has signed definitive agreements to acquire approximately 97 MW of operating solar assets for approximately $220 million funded by a combination of cash on hand and assumed liabilities. The largest of these portfolios includes 88 MW of generating assets and the acquisition is subject to certain closing conditions. The acquisition of the remaining approximately 9 MW has recently closed and such assets are currently operating as part of Altus Power’s portfolio. Combined, these recently and soon to be acquired portfolios represent approximately 97 MW of solar assets operating across nine U.S. states.

These commercial and industrial-scale (C&I) assets include rooftop, ground and carport-mounted solar arrays. They deliver clean electricity under long-term contracts to predominantly investment-grade customers. Following the closing of these acquisitions, Altus Power expects to own, operate and service these new assets and new customer relationships over the long-term with the potential to offer additional electrification solutions, including battery storage, as well as electric vehicle or fleet charging stations.

“We are excited to bring these new long-term customer relationships and operating assets to our portfolio of C&I solar and storage assets,” says Gregg Felton, co-CEO of Altus Power. “We welcome the opportunity to serve customers in new markets including Pennsylvania, Indiana, Arizona and Nevada, as well as to grow our footprint in existing markets. Altus Power will continue to focus on expanding our customer base as well as profitably increasing the size of our portfolio of commercial-scale assets by leveraging our specific expertise of executing both development and operating opportunities.”

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EVE’s stand at the event in Anaheim, California. Image: EVE Energy Storage.

Sungrow, EVE Energy Storage and Saft were amongst the big names exhibiting new battery energy storage products at RE+ in California last week.

Sungrow, EVE, Hithium, Trina Storage, AlphaESS and Saft

Around 27,000 people attended last week’s RE+ 2022 event in California, marking the return of the Solar Power International and Energy Storage International events for the first time in three years, under a new unified brand name.

With more than 750 exhibitors across both strands, many were presenting new products, or bringing products launched in the US for their North American debuts.

Of course, we’re not able to present you details on everything that was launched at the show, hosted at a stone’s throw away from Disneyland at Anaheim Convention Center. Nonetheless, here are a few examples from leading industry players.

Sungrow

Solar PV inverter and energy storage system (ESS) solutions provider Sungrow brought its liquid cooled large industrial and utility-scale battery storage systems to the show.

Sungrow’s PowerStack 500kWh product is aimed at the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, while PowerTitan is a utility-scale system available in 2.2MWh to 2.7MWh configurations.

Both are equipped with a cluster controller which can charge and discharge battery racks individually, which the manufacturer claimed increases overall performance, they also feature automatic state-of-charge (SoC) calibration and automated coolant refuelling.

EVE Energy Storage

EVE Energy Storage, a subsidiary of Chinese lithium battery manufacturer EVE Energy, made its North American debut at RE+ 2022.

The company showcased products for utility-scale, residential and telecommunications applications, including a 1500V liquid cooling system that EVE claimed enables extended cycle life, higher energy density and increases self-consumption of onsite generated power and energy utilisation efficiency.

EVE Energy Storage’s products cover the full gamut from cell to pack to system and battery management system (BMS). The company also presented its new prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells and cylindrical battery cells, among other products, at the show.

Hithium

Another Chinese battery maker exhibiting prismatic and cylindrical cells, Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology (Hithium), launched a new 300Ah prismatic cell and a 46mm cylindrical cell.

Hithium focuses primarily on lithium iron phosphate (LFP). The company claimed the new prismatic cell won’t experience capacity fade over the first three years of operation, equivalent to 1,000 daily cycles. It has a total expected 12,000 cycle lifetime and a claimed efficiency of 95%.

Meanwhile the cylindrical cell has a “revolutionary shape” that would be typically 10% cheaper than prismatic form factor cells and has a high explosion-proof rating. Both products will be available from the first quarter of 2023.

Hithium, which was only founded in 2019, is targeting 135GWh of annual battery production capacity by 2025.

Trina Storage

Trina Storage, the energy storage arm of solar PV firm Trina Solar which launched last year, launched the New Elementa battery energy storage system for the US market.

The battery storage unit uses the company’s in-house lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery cells and battery management system (BMS). Similar to Hithium, it claimed a battery lifetime of over 12,000 cycles.

“Trina Storage views the US as a strategic market. The BESS industry in the US and North America is poised for substantial growth in the coming years,” said Terry Chen, head of Overseas Energy Storage Business.

AlphaESS

Energy storage solutions firm AlphaESS launched a residential energy storage system for the US market, following the launch of its new US subsidiary and head office in Colorado earlier in September.

The SMILE-SP and SPB series are available with AC and DC coupling, with a 7.6/9.6kW hybrid inverter and a standard 8.2kWh battery pack which can support max 11.5kWp/15kWp PV input and is expandable to 49.2kWh. The systems, which use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, are suited for retrofitting as well grid forming function fits for all PV inverter brands.

Products showcased at RE+ included the Almighty Knight SMILE-G3 (5kW/10.1-60.5kWh), all-in-one system SMILE-B3-PLUS (3kW/5.04-30kWh), the Three-Phase Warrior SMILE-T10-HV (10kW/8.2- 49.2kWh) and new portable power stations – BlackBee 1000 and 2000 (1-1.6kW/1-2kWh).

Saft

Oil and gas major TotalEnergies’ energy storage subsidiary Saft presented its new generation Intensium Shift utility-scale energy storage system.

The 3MWh unit is a scaleable building block which can be installed with power conversion equipment with a footprint 50% lower than the previous model, while also halving site-related activities, the company claimed.

The product also uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells and will be available from mid-2023, with a duration on offer between two to eight hours.

The company has manufacturing hubs in France, US and China from where the product will be shipped.

A render of a large-scale Saft energy storage system. Image: Saft.

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Wärtsilä’s Edmund Phillips (left) and CUC’s Sacha Tibbetts signed the order for the delivery of 20 MWh total energy storage capacity to Cayman Islands in May 2022. Image: CUC.

Wärtsilä will supply two 10MW/10MWh battery energy storage systems to a utility in the Cayman Islands.

The Finland-headquartered technology company will provide the BESS units under an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Caribbean Utilities Company Ltd (CUC).

They will be located on Grand Cayman, the largest of the country’s three islands, and will be the country’s first utility-scale projects. They are expected to be operational by mid-2023.

Wärtsilä will provide its modular utility-scale energy storage product, GridSolv Quantum, which will be controlled using its energy management system (EMS), the GEMS Digital Energy Platform. The GEMS platform has numerous capabilities for island power systems, including short term overload capacity, voltage support, black starts and peak shaving.

The energy storage facilities will allow CUC to better utilise existing power plants as well as integrate some 29MW of customer-sited distributed renewable energy resources, without impacting the stability of the grid.

The new systems will connect to the Hydesville, West Bay and Prospect sub-stations, which will provide power system optimisation services like spinning reserve capacity.

Until now, the three-island nation’s power system has been made up of 161MW of diesel generation and 14MW of solar PV.

“Energy storage has proven to be a game changer for our numerous island-based customers in the Caribbean and beyond to simultaneously lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy consumption, and improve grid reliability,” said Jon Rodriguez, Director, Engine power plants, Wärtsilä Energy in North America.

Wärtsilä has a strong track record in delivering BESS solution and grid optimisation services to island power systems. Projects previously reported on by Energy-Storage.news include those on the US Virgin Islands, Roatan (Honduras), the Bahamas and most recently Hawaii.

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A PV project Sterling & Wilson worked on, in Australia. Image: Sterling & Wilson.

A subsidiary of solar EPC Sterling and Wilson has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Nigeria to develop and construct a portfolio of PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in the country.

Sterling and Wilson Solar Solutions, along with its consortium partner Sun Africa, will develop 961MWp of solar at five locations along with BESS with total installed capacity of 455MWh.

Financing for the projects is under negotiation between the US Export-Import Bank, ING and the government of Nigeria.

The installations will ultimately be owned and operated by Niger Delta Power Holding Company, a Nigerian government-owned entity.

To read the full version of this story, visit PV Tech.

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The Bureau of Land Management is processing 64 utility-scale onshore renewable projects on public lands in the western US. Image: NextEra Energy.

NextEra’s Energy’s 485MW solar PV co-located plant has reached full commercial operation in Riverside County, California, according to the US Department of the Interior (DOI).

The “Blythe Solar Power Project”, located on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), includes a 387MW battery energy storage system (BESS).

This is the latest solar-plus-storage project to start operations on public land in California, with EDF’s 475MW solar-plus-storage reaching full power operation and NextEra commissioning the 230MW battery portion of its Desert Sunlight project, both in August , while the BLM issued approval for the 500MW solar-plus-storage Oberon project that is expected to be operational in 2023.

To read the full version of this story, visit PV Tech.

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