E.ON Climate & Renewables North America, LLC (E.ON) announced it signed an agreement with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to provide frequency response and voltage control from a grid-scale, 10MW battery energy storage facility with a 2MW solar array. The Iron Horse Battery Energy Storage Project will be located adjacent to the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park southeast of Tucson. The project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2017.
"E.ON, as a provider of global energy solutions, is proud of our ability to work with a utility like TEP to provide innovative grid reliability solutions benefiting their customers. Beyond providing grid-scale battery storage capabilities, E.ON has partnered with utilities to provide energy through PPAs and to complete quality turnkey solar facilities," commented Steve Trenholm, President of E.ON Solar. In addition to supplementing TEP's grid management, E.ON also provides energy to TEP from its 6.6 MW Tech Park Solar and 13.2 MW Valencia Solar facilities and partnered on the turnkey construction of TEP's 17.2 MW solar facility at the Fort Huachuca Army Base near Sierra Vista, Arizona.
"We are excited to put E.ON's own utility storage expertise to use for TEP," said Mark Frigo, E.ON's VP of Energy Storage North America. "TEP is the perfect partner for this project as they are an experienced utility operator and very interested in integrating innovative, cost-effective technologies for the benefit of their customers."
"We're working very hard to build a more resilient grid in a cost-effective way for our customers, and exploring energy storage technologies is an important aspect of our efforts. E.ON provides both innovative technologies and a wealth of expertise that will help us to achieve our long-term renewable energy and resource planning goals," said Carmine Tilghman, a TEP Senior Director who oversees the company's renewable energy programs.
E.ON, in partnership with Greensmith Energy, will design and integrate a customized energy storage solution for TEP that is capable of providing the benefits of a conventional generation system's availability and response capabilities. The project will enhance TEP's contribution to grid stability by providing ancillary services during the 10-year contract period.
"The system will be capable of responding faster than conventional generation to adjust to rapid changes in power demand," said Frigo. "Our team engineered the right set of technologies to fulfill the customer's vision of what they need to manage their system efficiently and effectively."
E.ON developed, built and operates more than 3,000MW of solar and wind renewable energy generation across the U.S. with more on the way. The Company also offers O&M and asset management services to third party owner/operators seeking "Service with an Owner's Eye."
