Beacon Power Breaks Ground on 20-Megawatt Flywheel Energy Storage Plant
Beacon Power Corporation (BCON) took another step at more efficient and reliable means of power storage, while companies like Titan Energy Worldwide (TEWI) continues to produce standby and emergency power equipment that maintains power during emergencies.
Beacon Power Corporation (BCON), was joined today by state and local officials at a formal groundbreaking event in Stephentown, New York, signaling the start of construction for the nation’s first full-scale 20-megawatt (MW) flywheel frequency regulation plant.
Speakers at the event included Garry Brown – Chairman of the New York Public Service Commission; Kimberly Harriman – Assistant Secretary of Energy, Office of Governor David A. Paterson; Rana Mukherji – Vice President, Market Structures, New York Independent System Operator; Peter Douglas – Director, Energy Efficiency Research, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority; and David Connors – Regional Representative, Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand.
Stephen G. Whitley, President and CEO of the New York Independent System Operator, commented: “New York’s competitive electricity market attracts investments in new energy technologies, such as Beacon Power’s flywheel energy storage system, that build the smarter grid of tomorrow. Advances in energy storage are a key component in expanding renewable energy across New York while sustaining a reliable power grid for New York consumers.”
“Today’s groundbreaking is a perfect example of federal, state and private investment coming together to ensure that the nation’s first plant of this kind will be built in Stephentown,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand. “This new flywheel frequency regulation plant will advance stable, reliable and efficient electricity grid operation in the state. I look forward to continuing to work with Beacon Power as they move forward with this investment.”
“This is a truly significant milestone in our company’s history, and it represents equally important progress toward the development of a smarter grid in New York State and the nation in general,” said Bill Capp, Beacon president and CEO. “Our flywheel systems provide an essential grid-stabilizing service, and they do it faster and much more efficiently than today’s conventional methods, most of which consume fossil fuel and produce harmful CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. We’re grateful for the consistent support we’ve received from the organizations represented here today, as well as from the U.S. Department of Energy, and we look forward to playing our part in helping this state build a cleaner and more secure energy future.”
Initial construction work on the 20 MW plant will start this month, including site clearing, adding drainage and fencing, and some landscaping. Full construction is expected to begin in late Q1 2010, and be completed in 16 to 18 months.
Flywheel Energy Storage and Frequency Regulation
Frequency regulation is an essential grid service that is performed by maintaining a tight balance between electricity supply and demand. Beacon’s 20 MW plant has been designed to provide frequency regulation services by absorbing electricity from the grid when there is too much, and storing it as kinetic energy in a matrix of flywheel systems. When there is not enough power to meet demand, the flywheels inject energy back into the grid, thus helping to maintain proper electricity frequency (60 cycles/second).
According to a 2008 study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a DOE research institution, 1 MW of fast-responding flywheel-based regulation can be expected to provide the equivalent of 2 MW of conventional slow-responding regulation, based on a mix of conventional regulation resources like those used in California. In areas with less hydropower-based regulation than California, the comparative advantage of flywheels may be even greater.
Thanks to their ability to recycle electricity efficiently and act as “shock absorbers” to the grid, Beacon’s flywheel plants will also help support the integration of greater amounts of renewable (but intermittent) wind and solar power resources. Unlike conventional fossil fuel-powered generators that provide frequency regulation, flywheel plants will not consume any fuel, nor will they directly produce CO2 greenhouse gas emissions or other air pollutants, such as NOX or SO2.
About Beacon Power
Beacon Power Corporation designs, develops and is taking steps to commercialize advanced products and services to support stable, reliable and efficient electricity grid operation. The Company’s primary business strategy is to commercialize its patented flywheel energy storage technology to perform frequency regulation services on the grid. Beacon’s Smart Energy Matrix, which is now in production, is a non-polluting, megawatt-level, utility-grade flywheel-based solution to provide sustainable frequency regulation services. Beacon is a publicly traded company with its research, development and manufacturing facility in the U.S. For more information, visit www.beaconpower.com.
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