PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Salt River Project (“SRP”) today announced contract execution and the start of construction with The AES Corporation (“AES”) for SRP’s first standalone battery-based energy storage project. The 10-megawatt, four-hour duration energy storage solution, to be supplied by Fluence, will provide peaking capacity that will inject power into the grid during high peak demand periods for SRP customers.
The 10-megawatt project, to be built in Chandler, was procured as part of an SRP initiative to learn more about grid-scale battery storage so that SRP will be better prepared to implement battery storage technology at an even larger scale in the future.
“Energy storage is already providing a wealth of services to central Arizona’s grid through other deployments, from supporting the growth of renewables to boosting reliability on transmission and distribution grids,” said Mike Hummel, SRP’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. “This latest investment will add much-needed efficiency and value for our more than one million electric consumers.”
Under the 20-year agreement, AES will provide SRP with the 10-megawatt, 40 megawatt-hour battery-based energy storage system that will be charged by an SRP distribution substation. Fluence’s Advancion energy storage technology platform was selected to meet SRP’s need for an industrial-strength solution with high dependability, reliability and the ability to evolve over long-term operations. The solution can deliver the energy equivalent to power about 2,400 homes in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area for up to four hours and will help SRP assess how best to scale up future energy storage projects across its 2,900-square-mile electric service area.
SRP’s new energy storage project marks the latest move to secure resources that enable the integration of more renewables for its electric service area. This comes at a time when Arizona is evaluating steps to transform its energy infrastructure, including proposals for both the largest energy storage target in the United States – three gigawatts by 2030 – and a “clean peak” standard.
“AES is committed to developing solutions which will accelerate a cleaner and greener energy future,” said Ken Zagzebski, President of AES Southland Energy. “This project will allow SRP to continue meeting customer demands while also supporting the ongoing integration of renewable power sources.”
As the largest provider of power to the greater Phoenix area, SRP is drawing on both AES’ experience developing energy storage projects across its platform and Fluence’s expertise in designing and deploying energy storage solutions in 16 countries. Together, SRP, AES and Fluence will deliver a long-lasting, reliable energy storage solution for central Arizona’s power grid and SRP’s electric customers. The Fluence team has a successful track record of deploying and operating energy storage for more than 10 years, including many of the first or largest systems in each market. Fluence delivers superior value for its customers by providing proven, industrial-grade energy storage solutions that perform critical tasks reliably and cost-effectively.
“We’re proud to support Salt River Project and AES in adding fast, flexible and zero-direct-emissions energy storage to SRP’s network,” said Stephen Coughlin, CEO of Fluence. “With proven energy storage solutions, Fluence is helping SRP deliver more low-cost renewable energy and value to Phoenix residents.”
AES chose Mortenson as the EPC construction partner for the project. Mortenson has experience in the energy storage market and will be performing the engineering, procurement and construction for the balance of plant portion of the project.
“Mortenson is honored to be a part of this team and advancing our involvement in this exciting part of the utility electrical sector,” said Brent Bergland, general manager of Mortenson’s energy storage business.
About Salt River Project
Tempe-based SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than 1 million customers. SRP also is the metropolitan area’s largest supplier of water, delivering about 800,000 acre-feet annually to municipal, urban and agricultural water users. For more information, visit the SRP website at www.srpnet.com. Follow SRP on Twitter: @SRPconnect and Facebook: Facebook.com/SRPconnect.
About The AES Corporation
The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 200 global power company. We provide affordable, sustainable energy to 15 countries through our diverse portfolio of distribution businesses as well as thermal and renewable generation facilities. Our workforce is committed to operational excellence and meeting the world’s changing power needs. Our 2017 revenues were $11 billion and we own and manage $33 billion in total assets. To learn more, please visit www.aes.com. Follow AES on Twitter @TheAESCorp.
About Fluence
Fluence, a Siemens and AES company, is a global energy storage technology solutions and services company that combines the agility of a technology company with the expertise, vision, and financial backing of two industry powerhouses. Established in 2018, as the successor to industry pioneers AES Energy Storage and Siemens energy storage, Fluence’s goal is to create a more sustainable future by transforming the way we power our world. The company offers proven energy storage technology solutions designed to address the diverse needs and challenges of customers in a rapidly transforming energy landscape, providing design, delivery and integration in over 160 countries. Fluence works closely with customers during every step of their journey and provides advisory, financing, and project lifecycle services. To date, Fluence’s teams have deployed or been awarded over 500 MW in 16 countries. To learn more, please visit http://fluenceenergy.com/ and follow Fluence on Twitter at @FluenceEnergy.
About Mortenson
Founded in 1954, Mortenson is a U.S.-based, family-owned construction and development services company. As one of the nation's top builders, Mortenson provides a complete range of construction services, including planning, program management, preconstruction, general contracting, construction management and design-build. The company also is a leader in real estate development, developing all asset types. Mortenson has operations across North America with offices in Chicago, Denver, Fargo, Iowa City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and in Canada. As one of the first contractors to enter into the U.S. wind market, Mortenson is recognized as the leader in renewable energy construction. This leadership position has allowed us to leverage our wind power expertise to advance the fields of solar, high voltage transmission and energy storage services. www.mortenson.com
