Puerto Rico contracts for energy storage to meet 20% renewables mandate

Dive Brief:

Puerto Rico's electric utility tapped Saft to supply lithium-ion battery storage at a 10 MW solar facility on the island, part of a plan to boost renewable usage by 2035, Energy Storage News reports.
The storage means Windmar, which provides solar projects for PREPA, will now be able to meet the utility's minimum technical requirements to bring more solar energy onto its grid.
Saft officials say they will deliver the batteries to the Coto Laurel PV facility in modular shipping containers, already fully assembled, for ease of siting.

Dive Insight:

Puerto Rico has lately taken the spotlight for the $8.2 billion in debt restructuring for PREPA, but now the territory's utility is refocusing efforts to meet its goal of obtaining 20% of its electricity with renewable resources by 2035 to meet a mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Saft was awarded the contract alongside Windmar, and will provide three "Intensium Max 20P high-power lithium-ion battery containers," which will provide ramp-rate control and frequency response for the solar facility.

The storage allows Windmar to meet PREPA’s minimum technical requirements of 4.5 MW of peak power for ramp-rate control and 1 MW for frequency response. Saft said the system will be delivered in 20-foot shipping containers and includes modular battery architecture, battery management and active cooling systems, fire suppression and power and communication interfaces. And the company said its system also supports "highly variable usage patterns" which can provide fast response time and cycling capabilities.

“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,” Jim McDowall, Saft Business Development Manager, said in a statement. “Enabling Puerto Rico to generate solar energy domestically not only addresses RPS goals, but also adds local jobs."

In addition to Saft and Windmar, Ingeteam will supply PV inverters and power conversion for the system, while SolarWorld supplies PV panels and engineering procurement and construction services to Windmar.

"Saft’s premier technology not only supports our renewable energy expansions, but also contributes to generation of new jobs,” said Windmar's Victor Gonzalez. “Now Puerto Rico’s renewable energy sources are home-grown as we work toward increased domestic energy production."