US-based Ormat Technologies Inc. recently announced the acquisition of a shovel-ready (about to begin construction soon) energy storage asset in Upton County, Texas, from Con Edison Development—engaged in the development of renewable and energy infrastructure assets throughout the US.
Ormat’s wholly-owned subsidiary—Viridity Energy Solutions Inc.—will design, build, own and operate a 25 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project at the site. The project is co-located with an operational 157 MW solar PV generating facility that is owned and operated by CED Upton County Solar, LLC. Ormat is targeting commercial operation of the BESS before end-2021.
The BESS facility will provide the much-needed ancillary services and energy optimisation to the wholesale markets managed by the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
Doron Blachar, CEO, Ormat said, “This represents our second energy storage project in Texas, following the success of our Rabbit Hill BESS project which has been operating with high availability within the ERCOT market since April of this year. We are delighted to have been able to partner with Con Edison Development, a leading renewable energy developer and independent power producer, and hope to extend this collaboration further in the future. With this second project, Ormat strengthens its position as one of the early movers in the ERCOT energy storage market. Ormat is well-positioned to grow its energy storage footprint, and this acquisition reinforces our target to add between 80 MW to 175 MW revenue-generating energy storage assets by year end 2022 and is in-line with our stated strategy to build, own and operate energy storage assets in strategic high growth markets including Texas.”
REGlobal’s Views: Texas is presently experiencing growth in renewable energy deployment and energy storage resources are expected to play a prominent role in allowing ERCOT to absorb such intermittent generators, while also coping with increased frequency of extreme weather events.
