Saft’s BESS installation will consist eight Intensium Max 20M containers, deployed for use as part of a new 12 MW solar energy park under construction in Anahola. The BESS will be used to provide stability and mitigate issues caused by intermittent fluctuations that can occur with renewable power sources.
KIUC powers Kauai
KIUC is a stand-alone, vertically integrated electric utility that provides electric service to its consumers on the Island of Kauai, the fourth largest inhabited island in Hawaii.
The cooperative provides all of the facilities, equipment, and personnel required to meet its consumers’ power generation, transmission, and retail distribution needs. KIUC’s all-time peak load is 78 MW, serving approximately 35 000 meters through 13 substations from three active generating sites.
KIUC is aggressively pursuing diversification of its energy portfolio to include a growing percentage of hydropower, photovoltaic, biofuel, and biomass. The cooperative is building the new $50 million solar energy park in partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Homestead Community Development Corp.
Battery Energy Storage System: BESS
As part of the agreement, Saft will provide 6 MW/4.63 MWh BESS consisting of eight Intensium Max 20M containers, and two containers housing an ABB 6 MW power conversion system (PCS) to stabilise the electrical grid.
The system will also regulate the distribution bus voltage, serve as spinning reserve, and provide frequency support during the loss of generation by pooling and integrating with other distributed KIUC BESS sources.
Deliveries for the contract are set to begin in October. This contract positions Saft as the pre-eminent supplier of battery energy storage solutions in Hawaii.
Expanding renewables on islands
‘With other BESS contracts in the works, this agreement is indicative of the expanding renewables market relying on Li-ion energy storage within island nations, and Saft’s leadership in enabling trusted storage solutions for solar integration,’ says Blake Frye, Vice President of Sales and Energy Storage at Saft.
Saft continues to be a major supplier of battery energy storage solutions in Hawaii. The Kauai Island Anahola Project will be the third Saft Li-ion BESS installed in the state. Saft’s first two installations in Hawaii have successfully operated for two years, with the owners planning to expand the Saft BESS.