INDUSTRY UPDATES
businesswire | April 13, 2023
ESS Tech, Inc. a leading manufacturer of long-duration energy storage systems for commercial and utility-scale applications, today announced that it will deliver three Energy Warehouse systems to Coldwell Solar, a major developer and builder of renewable energy projects for California’s commercial, agricultural and utility sectors. The systems will be installed in a solar + storage microgrid at Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger Cellars and Domaine Anderson, California wineries in Mendocino County known for their sparkling and still wines. Coldwell Solar worked with the wineries to design a system that met their needs and the microgrid is expected to be operational in late 2023.
“The wineries needed an energy storage solution that could withstand the elements and operate safely in a wildfire-prone region. With its inherent safety and low carbon footprint, ESS technology was the only option that meets the energy resilience and sustainability needs of our customer. We look forward to partnering with ESS on future projects to accelerate clean energy deployments in the state,” said Sean Hood, COO of Coldwell Solar.
The ESS solution will safeguard Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger Cellars and Domaine Anderson against the impacts of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events and other grid interruptions to ensure resilient winery operations 24/7, demonstrating the key role that energy storage can play in rural agricultural applications and supporting the operations of a major employer in the region. In addition, the winery will avoid significant demand charges and realize energy savings by utilizing ESS technology to reduce grid electricity use during peak periods. The ability to reduce grid demand during late afternoon and evening periods will also support the stability of the local grid.
“Our safe and sustainable long-duration energy storage systems are ideally suited to a wide variety of commercial and industrial applications. We’re pleased to support these wineries’ commitment to sustainability while providing the energy security needed to continue delivering economic benefits to the Mendocino region,” said Hugh McDermott, SVP of business development for ESS.
ESS’ long-duration energy storage technology is safe and non-toxic, making it ideal for wildfire prone regions. The company’s battery modules have been certified to the UL 9540A and UL 1973 standards, affirming ESS modules’ quality, resilience and ability to operate safely.
ESS iron flow technology provides cost-effective long-duration energy storage and is ideal for applications that require up to 12 hours of flexible energy capacity. ESS technology is safe, non-toxic and has a 25-year design life without capacity fade.
About ESS Tech Inc
At ESS our mission is to accelerate global decarbonization by providing safe, sustainable, long-duration energy storage that powers people, communities and businesses with clean, renewable energy anytime and anywhere it’s needed. As more renewable energy is added to the grid, long-duration energy storage is essential to providing the reliability and resiliency we need when the sun is not shining, and the wind is not blowing.
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INDUSTRY UPDATES
prnewswire | April 27, 2023
Nevados Engineering, Inc., the solar tracker company that is transforming utility-scale PV deployment, is partnering with Energix Renewables, a global renewable energy developer and independent power producer (IPP), to provide its all-terrain technology platform as part of a long-term solar tracker supply agreement and strategic collaboration. Energix will use American-made Nevados solar trackers to minimize grading on domestic projects with severe topographical challenges. Energix Renewables currently has over 6 GW in its U.S. solar project pipeline. Nevados' partnership will enable Energix to develop solar projects in areas with challenging slopes without the need for extensive grading.
"Our goal is to build high-performing solar projects that respect the natural landscape and benefit local communities," commented Itamar Sarussi, Country Manager of Energix U.S. "The new partnership with Nevados means Energix can deploy best-in-class solar assets with minimal topographical impact and help ensure our projects on topographically diverse sites are successful."
"We applaud Energix for protecting the integrity of the land and watershed as they build and operate solar assets," commented Jenya Meydbray, Chief Commercial Officer of Nevados. "As the renewable energy transition spreads to regions with more variable terrain, environmentally responsible construction that eliminates grading will drive the solar industry's next phase of growth."
Energix and Nevados are beginning their partnership with three solar farms in rural Virginia, two of which are located on rolling topography in the highly regulated Chesapeake Bay watershed:
Apple Grove Solar is a 20 MW solar project in Louisa County with plans to partner with local beekeepers to implement a fully functional pollinator garden on site.
The 37 MW Endless Caverns and 25 MW River Trail solar projects are among the first large-scale solar farms to be located in Rockingham County and Carroll County, respectively.
"Since its inception, Nevados has focused on engineering innovative solar tracker technology that follows the terrain," said Yezin Taha, CEO of Nevados. "We built the most capable tracker on the market through intensive, multi-year R&D efforts that ultimately yielded our uniquely flexible bearings, highly sophisticated controls, and powerful software suite, all of which operate seamlessly in an integrated platform."
About Energix Renewables
Energix Renewables is an independent power producer (IPP) that develops, constructs, owns and operates renewable energy projects across the United States. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Energix Renewables is one of the leading solar energy players in the Mid-Atlantic with nine operational projects, six more in construction and many more in development.
We are a global company with operations in the United States, Israel, and Poland. With approximately $500 million invested in the United States alone, we use our financial stability and extensive project experience to build projects that create long-term value for local communities, landowners, our stakeholders, and the environment.
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ENERGY
businesswire | May 04, 2023
Leading US distributed energy company Aspen Power announced that the company has developed or acquired more than 100 solar projects in Massachusetts. Following Aspen Power's acquisition of Safari Energy in 2022, the company’s footprint in the state now totals 36.5 megawatts (MW) of capacity with 90,790 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity produced to date. That’s the equivalent of the electricity use of more than 12,000 homes per year or avoiding more than 64,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere.1
“The Commonwealth’s ambitious, coordinated climate policy leadership has made it a key focal point of our development strategy and aligns well with our dual mission to accelerate and democratize decarbonization,” said Jackson Lehr, Co-Founder & CFO of Aspen Power. “The SMART Program in particular continues to promote development in a way that benefits diverse stakeholders and supports the continued deployment of local, clean energy.”
The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program, which provides financial incentives directly to solar system owners, has resulted in an especially strong market for C&I solar across the state. SMART incentives have also made Massachusetts an attractive market for community solar and increased access to clean, renewable energy for many low-moderate income (LMI) communities across the state.
Notable Projects in Massachusetts
Aspen Power’s Massachusetts portfolio includes a diverse array of solar projects ranging in size, deal structure, and technology type. Among the 100 projects developed or acquired in Massachusetts, the largest is a 3.4 MW multi-phase solar rooftop and solar parking canopy project at the Natick Mall. Another distinctive project in Canton, MA is unique because it includes three different types of solar technologies – a rooftop array, parking canopy, and ground mount system – all in one project totaling 1.6 MW. Aspen continues to develop new projects throughout the state, including a ground-mounted community solar array expected to come online in 2024.
Aspen Power serves a variety of market segments in Massachusetts, with customers consisting of commercial and industrial businesses, public sector entities, retail centers, warehouse and storage facilities, and community solar subscribers. Aspen’s projects in the state range from community centers like the Boys and Girls Club in Newton, to ice rinks and apartment buildings in Stoneham and Ashland; there are solar installations at schools ranging from elementary level to universities like Tufts, as well as fitness centers, transit authorities and more. These diverse projects span multiple utility service territories including Eversource and National Grid. You can see more of these projects in the MA Project Gallery on our website.
To date, Aspen Power has developed or acquired more than 600 projects nationwide from Maine to Hawaii. Backed by global investment firm Carlyle, Aspen is one of the largest distributed generation independent power producers (IPPs) in the country, adding more than 50 staff and 220+ MW of operating assets to its portfolio through its acquisition of Safari Energy in 2022. Aspen’s early-stage project expertise, flexible financing solutions, and customer-centric approach continue to lead the company to new industry milestones such as this one and solidify it as a leader in the distributed generation space.
About Aspen Power
Aspen Power is a distributed energy generation platform with the dual mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization. We partner with businesses, communities, and others in the industry to develop, construct, and operate renewable energy assets. Our experienced team is passionate about solving our customers’ energy challenges to deliver a sustainable future throughout the U.S.
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