Toshiba and NRG Energy have collaborated to deploy a new, cutting-edge battery energy storage system within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. The Elbow Creek Energy Storage project is a lithium-ion-based Toshiba battery system capable of storing and delivering up to 2 megawatts (MW) of electrical power. The system, located near NRG’s and NRG Yield’s Elbow Creek Wind Farm in Howard County Texas, is designed for applications that enhance the stability of the electric grid.
The project is expected to demonstrate the environmentally beneficial impact and commercial viability of siting energy storage technology amidst the growing hub of renewable generation in West Texas. The battery system is expected to help correct short-term grid imbalances by providing high-speed frequency regulation services. It also has the ability to move blocks of generation from the hours when wind generation is high to the hours when load support is needed the most.
The system utilizes the latest energy storage technologies designed by Toshiba, centered on the long-life, high-performance SCiBTM Rechargeable Battery, and was manufactured at Toshiba’s 1 million sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. ERCOT recently concluded final certification testing on the battery system, which was funded in part by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as part of their Texas Emissions Reduction Plan.
“Toshiba has a legacy of innovation in power transmission and distribution dating back more than 100 years – the Toshiba Battery Energy Storage System is our latest contribution to improving energy efficiency,” said Kyle Kem, President of the Social Infrastructure Systems Group at Toshiba International Corporation. “Now that this installation is online, we look forward to further streamlining the assembly process at our Houston-based manufacturing headquarters.”
“NRG is committed to creating a sustainable energy future through initiatives like the Elbow Creek Energy Storage project,” said John Chillemi, Executive Vice President of Development at NRG Energy. “We believe energy storage is a fast growing opportunity that will have an increasingly important role in the energy grid of the future. Elbow Creek is a great step towards that future, and NRG will continue to seek more opportunities like it in Texas and other markets in the U.S.”
