A 1MW solar PV system is commissioned accompanied with a 1MW/2MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in southeastern U.S. LG Chem provides its batteries solution for Southern Company and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for the solar facility to evaluate the grid impacts of the BESS in support of multiple applications, such as load smoothing, peak shaving, and voltage support.
LG Chem supplies the batteries and power conversion equipment, battery installation, commissioning and operations and maintenance for the experiment. The project is executed in collaboration with Southern Company, EPRI, and ABB, who supplied enclosure and power conversion equipment.
“Energy storage is a technology that can enhance grid reliability and make it easier to integrate renewable energy sources,” said Haresh Kamath, senior program manager at EPRI. “The learning and experiences gained throughout the course of the project are beneficial for moving forward an integrated grid in the U.S. and worldwide.”
EPRI will assist with testing and analysis of data from the project to help Southern Company understand how well the BESS works to onboard and discharge energy from the solar farm, in conjunction with other technologies that are part of the project.