PNM starts work on utility-scale solar battery demonstration

November 29, 2010

New Mexico power company PNM has begun work on an energy storage project that will involve installation of a utility-scale battery system with a 500-kilowatt solar power plant.

The $6 million demonstration project is being developed at one of the utility’s sites near its home base of Albuquerque, aiming to develop a way to deliver solar energy when it is needed, rather than only when the sun is shining.

Called the Prosperity Energy Storage project, it is being supported by $2 million from the US Department of Energy to demonstrate the use of technology to manage the variable output of renewable energy installations.

Steve Willard, PNM project manager, said: “Having the ability to manage solar-generated energy will enable PNM to turn intermittent resources into more reliable sources to address peak-demand needs.”

Partners

The University of New Mexico, Northern New Mexico College and Sandia National Labs are also involved in the project.

Northern New Mexico College will collect, analyze and manage data for the project, while UNM will carry out system modeling and design work. Sandia National Labs will perform system testing and algorithm development for the project.

Andrea Mammoli, co-director of the UNM School of Engineering’s Center for Emerging Energy Technologies, said it would see students and faculty staff gaining first-hand experience in smart grid technology.

Professor Mammoli said: “We are looking forward to many years of innovative research with a direct application to real-life problems. This project puts us at the leading edge in renewable energy integration research in the US.”

New Mexico regulators approved the project back in September, along with 22MW solar capacity planned by PNM, part of PNM Resources providing electricity to 495,000 customers in the state.

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