What are the components that make up a battery energy storage system?

A storage system consists of:

  • Individual battery cells.
  • These cells are collected into modules and housed in a specially designed, climate-controlled storage container.
  • The racks fill containers, not unlike a storage container you’d see on a ship or truck.
  • The containers are paired with inverters to convert DC to AC electricity.
  • Can be paired with a renewable energy asset (solar, wind) or stand alone.
 

What is the value of energy storage for both a utility and its customers?

Battery energy storage helps optimize the way the power grid delivers electricity to customers including:           

  • Reduces fluctuations in voltage
  • Reduces energy losses and waste
  • Avoids the need for some system upgrades, including big transmission projects
  • Extends the hours a renewable energy project can operate, i.e., even after the sun goes down or the wind stops blowing
  • Allows customers to enjoy more renewable energy, more hours of the day

Energy storage delivers several advantages to the power grid and our customers. What makes energy storage attractive is that it can store electricity and deliver it later at a more appropriate time, in the required amount, to either grid operators or direct consumers.

 

What type of batteries will the storage system employ?

We primarily use lithium-ion battery technology, which has benefited from years of research and development and has been proven to be safe, efficient and cost-effective for utility scale battery energy storage. We are always evaluating other battery chemistries and technologies to continue to advance this growing industry.

 

Do battery energy storage systems present a fire risk?

Fires involving battery energy storage systems are rare. At NextEra Energy Resources, the safety of our employees, neighbors and the public are always our highest priority. Responsible energy production begins with preparation from day one.

  • Batteries used in our facilities undergo rigorous industry testing and certification by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This ensures that the cell and module designs are robust.
  • Battery modules are housed in fully enclosed containers, like shipping containers.
  • Each container is equipped with fire protection and explosion control systems to comply with the National Fire Protection Association.
  • We have sensors that alarm when an abnormal condition arises. Additionally, our facilities are monitored 24/7 by our Renewable Operations Control Center, which can remotely shut down any affected site.
  • We work and train with local first responders and fire officials to coordinate any response, in the unlikely event of a fire.

 

Has your company built other energy storage systems?

NextEra Energy Resources affiliates have more than 2.6 GW of operational energy storage, including:

WEST 

  • Arlington Energy Center III, California 
  • Arlington Solar, California 
  • Blythe 110 Energy Storage, California 
  • Blythe II Energy Storage, California 
  • Blythe III Energy Storage, California 
  • Blythe IV Storage, California 
  • Buena Vista Energy Center, New Mexico 
  • Casa Mesa Energy Storage, New Mexico
  • Desert Peak, California 
  • Desert Sunlight Energy Storage, California 
  • Dodge Flat Solar, Nevada 
  • Fish Springs Ranch Solar, Nevada 
  • Jackson Fuller Energy Storage, Colorado
  • McCoy Energy Storage, California 
  • Neptune Energy Center, Colorado 
  • North Central Valley Storage, California 
  • Paulsell Energy Storage, California
  • Pima Battery Energy Storage System, Arizona 
  • Pinal Central Energy Storage, Arizona 
  • Proxima Energy Storage, California
  • Resurgence Solar I and II, California 
  • Saint Energy Storage II, Arizona 
  • Silver State South Energy Storage, Nevada
  • Sky Ranch Energy Storage, New Mexico
  • Sonoran Energy Storage, Arizona
  • Storey Energy Storage, Arizona
  • Sunlight Storage II, Califronia
  • Thunder Wolf Energy Center, Colorado 
  • Troutdale Energy Storage, Oregon
  • Wheatridge Solar, Oregon 
  • Wilmot Energy Storage, Arizona 
  • Yellow Pine Energy Center I, Nevada 
SOUTH
  • Blue Summit Energy Storage, Texas 
  • Cool Springs Solar, Georgia 
  • Inertia Energy Storage, Texas
  • Shamrock Energy Storage, Texas
NORTHEAST 
  • Casco Bay Battery Energy Storage System, Maine 
  • East Hampton Energy Storage, New York
  • Elmira Energy Storage, Ontario 
  • Green Mountain Battery Energy Storage, Pennsylvania 
  • Lee Dekalb Storage, Illinois
  • Mantua Creek Energy Storage, New Jersey
  • Minuteman Storage, Massachusetts 
  • Montauk Energy Center, New York 
  • Parry Energy Storage, Parry Sound, Ontario 
MIDWEST 
  • Breckinridge Energy Storage, Oklahoma
  • Gopher Energy Storage, Anoka and Isanti counties, Minnesota 
  • Minco II Energy Storage, Oklahoma
  • Rush Springs Energy Storage, Oklahoma 
  • Searcy Solar, Arkansas 
  • Woodward Energy Storage, Oklahoma

Additionally, over one-third of the new solar projects we’re developing for customers now includes a storage component.