AES Energy Storage Announces 260MW of Interconnected Global Projects

AES Energy Storage today unveiled a portion of its deployment roadmap for AES AdvancionTM Energy Storage Solutions, which includes the addition of battery-based storage resources across the US, South America, and Europe. Projects in construction or late stage development are expected to deliver 260 MW of interconnected battery-based energy storage, equivalent to 520 MW of flexible power resource, 25% of which is expected to be on-line by mid-2016. These projects are in addition to the 86 MW of interconnected energy storage, equivalent to 172 MW of resource, AES currently has in operation.

Today, AES announces the expansion of its existing fleet into new markets, including the Company’s first utility scale project within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) in the United States and the first two projects in Europe. Considerable expansions are underway in existing markets, including California, PJM Interconnection and Chile. AES Energy Storage is also actively developing a pipeline of additional projects in multiple global markets.

“The electricity grid is poised for a major transformation and AES is proud to work with leading utilities and power systems to bring advanced storage to a new scale,” said John Zahurancik, President of AES Energy Storage. “Energy storage is lowering costs and improving critical grid infrastructure for customers around the world.”

PJM: AES’ Warrior Run project under construction in Cumberland, Maryland, adds to AES’ installations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio that supply critical grid stability services across the PJM territory. The project is part of a series of expansions under development for this market.

Chile: AES’ third energy storage project in Northern Chile is currently under construction. This project integrates advanced battery-based energy storage with a 532 MW thermal power plant to provide reliability services to Chile’s northern grid.

Western Europe: This spring, AES will begin construction on its first advanced energy storage projects in Europe – in Northern Ireland and the Netherlands. Both will provide fast, accurate power to improve grid efficiency and reliability assisting with grid integration and operations. AES will be the first to deliver advanced energy storage projects of this scale in both countries, providing safe and emissions-free power, supporting regional wind integration and lowering overall cost to consumers.

MISO: AES’ project in Indiana will be the first utility scale storage project in MISO. AES performed its initial storage pilot work in Indiana in 2008. The new project will deliver enhanced reliability and ancillary services, including frequency regulation and peak power.

California: As previously announced, AES is proceeding with the deployment plan for its Alamitos Energy Center storage project in Long Beach, CA. This local capacity resource will supply fast acting power for Southern California Edison customers under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.

“By choosing storage as a smart alternative, progressive utilities, power system operators, and policy makers are improving lives through lower cost, increased use of renewables, and higher reliability,” said Praveen Kathpal, Vice President of AES Energy Storage. “We’re excited to work with our customers and partners to provide resilient, cost-effective power in the US and around the world.”