Saft Lithium-Ion Battery Systems Enable Domestic Renewable Energy Generation In Puerto Rico
Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, has been awarded a contract with Windmar to provide three Intensium® Max 20P high-power lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery containers to provide ramp-rate control and frequency response for a 10MW photovoltaic (PV) facility in Puerto Rico. With renewable energy sources in high demand, Saft’s battery containers provide more than 10 years of reliability to help stabilize Puerto Rico’s island network as increasing levels of renewables are deployed.
In 2013, just one percent of the island’s electricity came from renewables. The island’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to obtain 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. Windmar was the first company in Puerto Rico to supply solar energy to PREPA, and has installed more than 15MW of solar energy throughout the island to date.
Saft’s partnership with Windmar will enable Puerto Rico to successfully integrate more renewable PV into its electricity network. Windmar will now be able to meet PREPA’s minimum technical requirements (MTRs) of 4.5MW of peak power for ramp-rate control and 1MW for frequency response with Saft batteries. The fully-integrated Intensium® Max containers include modular battery architecture, battery management and active cooling systems, fire suppression and power and communication interfaces.
“In remote locations and islands, it is essential our batteries can handle substantial daily energy flows and high power outputs in order to stabilize solar farms,” said Jim McDowall, Saft Business Development Manager. “Enabling Puerto Rico to generate solar energy domestically not only addresses RPS goals, but also adds local jobs. We are providing the Coto Laurel PV facility with the highest power capability in 20-foot ISO containers, fully assembled and with flexibility in siting.”
With significant output peaks and troughs familiar to renewable energy sources, it is increasingly difficult to integrate these systems into island power grids. Through Saft’s energy storage system (ESS) technology, intermittent generation is smoothed and ramp rates are reduced. Saft technology also supports highly variable usage patterns. Its fast response time and excellent cycling capability supply the PV facility with the stability and reliability needed to produce energy and cost savings.
“Saft’s premier technology not only supports our renewable energy expansions, but also contributes to generation of new jobs,” said Victor Gonzalez of Windmar. “Now Puerto Rico’s renewable energy sources are home-grown as we work toward increased domestic energy production.”
In addition to Saft’s contributions to the project, Ingeteam supplies PV inverters and power conversion for the ESS. Meanwhile, SolarWorld supplies PV panels and engineering procurement and construction services to Windmar. Working with Windmar confirms Saft’s position as the premier supplier of battery systems to meet PREPA’s MTRs.
