Saft has been awarded a contract from Tri-Technic Inc. for the delivery of two Intensium® Max 20M (IM20M) battery containers to power the Fort Hunter Liggett grid energy storage system.
The Fort Hunter Liggett energy storage unit was designated as a “Net Zero” pilot installation by the Department of Defense (DOD), which signifies that it will only consume as much energy as it produces. The battery system will store energy for later use when the base’s solar power field generates more electricity than demand. Tri-Technic selected Saft as part of its contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District to provide the base with a 1.25 MW battery energy storage system.
“The battery storage project is vitally important for our energy security and microgrid strategy because it is one of the dispatch strategies we will use to isolate our grid from the utility provider,” said Todd Dirmeyer, Energy Manager Fort Hunter Liggett.
The contract marks Saft’s first large battery energy storage system (BESS) installed in a DOD facility. As part of its ongoing objective to conserve resources, Fort Hunter Liggett is planning to install a third solar photovoltaic unit in 2014.
The 1MW solar system will be responsible for approximately one-third of the energy provided to the base and will aid the base in continuing its dedication to efficiency through solar power. In addition to the contract with Saft for the supply of batteries, Tri-Technic also engaged Siemens to provide smart inverters to support the microgrid controls.
Saft’s two Intensium® Max 20M containers are each rated at 500 kWh and connected to the grid through two 630 kW Clean Power Converters, which ensures that the energy source is able to operate at optimum levels while maintaining power in the event of a utility power outage.
“DOD/DOE maintains high energy goals, reduces energy consumption, creates energy independence and saves money,” said Lars Lisell, Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “The application being designed and built at Fort Hunter Liggett is a robust system that will benefit the base as a grid connected battery storage system performing renewable time shifting and peak shaving. The BESS will ensure energy security providing the ability to island the microgrid.”
The project construction began in August 2013 and is scheduled for completion in February 2014. Tri-Technic is the prime contractor for this project, specializing in system integration and electrical construction and was responsible for the design, engineering, procurement, delivery, installation and commissioning of the entire Fort Hunter Liggett microgrid.
“We are proud to partner with Tri-Technic on a project that helps the U.S. Army further its dedication to the successful integration of renewable resources,” said Thomas Alcide, President of Saft America. “The installation and implementation of this project presents significant potential for Saft’s involvement in future Net Zero and defense energy storage projects.”