Toshiba and NRG Energy Deliver Battery Energy Storage System for Texas
Toshiba and NRG Energy have collaborated to deploy a new, cutting-edge battery energy storage system within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid.
HOUSTON – Toshiba and NRG Energy have collaborated to deploy a new, cutting-edge battery energy storage system within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. The Elbow Creek Energy Storage project is a lithium-ion-based Toshiba battery system capable of storing and delivering up to 2 megawatts (MW) of electrical power. The system, located near NRG’s and NRG Yield’s Elbow Creek Wind Farm in Howard County Texas, is designed for applications that enhance the stability of the electric grid.
The project is expected to demonstrate the environmentally beneficial impact and commercial viability of siting energy storage technology amidst the growing hub of renewable generation in West Texas. The battery system is expected to help correct short-term grid imbalances by providing high-speed frequency regulation services. It also has the ability to move blocks of generation from the hours when wind generation is high to the hours when load support is needed the most.
The system utilizes the latest energy storage technologies designed by Toshiba, centered on the long-life, high-performance SCiBTM Rechargeable Battery, and was manufactured at Toshiba’s 1 million sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. ERCOT recently concluded final certification testing on the battery system, which was funded in part by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as part of their Texas Emissions Reduction Plan.
“Toshiba has a legacy of innovation in power transmission and distribution dating back more than 100 years – the Toshiba Battery Energy Storage System is our latest contribution to improving energy efficiency,” said Kyle Kem, President of the Social Infrastructure Systems Group at Toshiba International Corporation. “Now that this installation is online, we look forward to further streamlining the assembly process at our Houston-based manufacturing headquarters.”
“NRG is committed to creating a sustainable energy future through initiatives like the Elbow Creek Energy Storage project,” said John Chillemi, Executive Vice President of Development at NRG Energy. “We believe energy storage is a fast growing opportunity that will have an increasingly important role in the energy grid of the future. Elbow Creek is a great step towards that future, and NRG will continue to seek more opportunities like it in Texas and other markets in the U.S.”
About NRG
NRG is the leading integrated power company in the U.S., built on the strength of a diverse competitive electric generation portfolio and leading retail electricity platform. A Fortune 500 company, NRG creates value through best in class operations, reliable and efficient electric generation, and a retail platform serving residential and commercial businesses. Working with electricity customers, large and small, NRG implements sustainable solutions for producing and managing energy, developing smarter energy choices and delivering exceptional service as NRG retail electricity providers serve almost three million residential and commercial customers throughout the country. More information is available at http://www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and on Twitter @nrgenergy.
About Toshiba International Corporation
Toshiba International Corporation (TIC) is a Toshiba America Inc. (TAI) Group Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, and comprised of five divisions – Motors & Drives, Automotive, Power Electronics, Photovoltaics, and Transmission & Distribution. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, TIC provides application solutions to a wide range of industries including general industrial, oil and gas, utilities, datacenters, renewables, HVAC, water/wastewater, and mining. For more information about TIC, please visit http://www.toshiba.com/tic.
About ERCOT
ERCOT manages the flow of electric power to 24 million Texas customers — representing about 90 percent of the state’s electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 46,500 miles of transmission lines and 570+ generation units. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. Its members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities, transmission and distribution providers and municipally owned electric utilities.
About TCEQ
TCEQ is the environmental agency for the state of Texas and strives to protect the state’s public health and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. The TCEQ goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste, and is achieved by more than 2,700 employees across 16 regional offices.
