RES Americas to build big battery storage projects in Chicago
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- Cathy Proctor
- Reporter- Denver Business Journal
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Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc., better known as RES Americas, said Tuesday it will build two of the largest commercial-sized energy storage projects in North America.
RES, a wind farm developer based in Broomfield, Colorado, said the two projects will be built outside of Chicago, and once completed in 2015, will be capable of storing a total of 19.8 megawatts of power to support the local Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) electricity grid.
The storage centers "represent commercial installations of cutting-edge energy storage technology," said Victor Babbitt, vice president of energy storage for RES.
"These projects will increase the reliability and quality of ComEd's grid in these communities which, in turn, may help attract new business that demands a high-quality and reliable electricity supply," Babbitt said.
The Elwood Energy Storage Center, capable of storing up to 7.89 megawatt hours of power, will be located on Pilsen Road in West Chicago. The second project, named the Jake Energy Storage Center, will be located on Brandon Road in Joliet, RES said.
Construction is expected to start this winter with the systems ready for operation by August 2015. Each center is expected to operate for at least 10 years, RES said.
The company said acquired the projects, then in development phase, from Glidepath Power in September 2014.
The batteries that will store the power at the two centers are being supplied by BYD America, a Chinese car manufacturer that focuses on electric vehicles and is backed by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The batteries use lithium iron phosphate, an inherently safe variant of lithium battery chemistry, RES said.
Cathy Proctor covers energy, the environment and transportation for the Denver Business Journal and edits the weekly "Energy Inc." newsletter. Phone: 303-803-9233. Subscribe to the Energy Inc. newsletter
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