United States – Two significant interconnected energy storage systems in South Texas with a combined capacity of 200 MW and controlled by Eolian, a portfolio business of Global Infrastructure Partners, have attained commercial operation date (COD) thanks to Wärtsilä.
Eolian software will be used to manage the Madero and Ignacio energy storage facilities, allowing for full participation in the ERCOT market. The system will gain much-needed reliable operational ramping capacity all year round as a result. When power generation malfunctions or is unable to adapt quickly enough to rapidly changing conditions, the facility reacts instantly to maintain energy output and keep the lights on.
World’s largest
As a combined site, the project is the largest (in MWh) fully-merchant and market-facing energy storage facility ever built. The facilities’ multi-hour continuous dispatch capability provides the longest duration of any energy storage assets operating in ERCOT. Also, it marks the first application of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, for standalone utility-scale energy storage systems.
System components
An essential component of the system that monitors and regulates energy flow is Wärtsilä’s GEMS Digital Energy Platform, which enables these projects to offer grid support during times of grid instability. The projects will provide crucial ancillary services necessary for grid stability, like quick frequency response and frequency regulation, with the help of Wärtsilä’s Storage+ Solution. The first systems that employ GEMS to qualify for quick frequency response in the ERCOT market are the Madero and Ignacio sites.
The GridSolv Quantum energy storage system from Wärtsilä, which offers the lowest lifecycle costs, the quickest deployment timelines, the highest level of quality control, and the most flexibility, is a component of the project. A certified UL 9540 compliant design with a number of safety features is GridSolv Quantum.
