AES starts battery storage project
US-BASED power giant AES Corp., through its Manila office, has started work on the first grid-scale, battery-based energy storage facility in the Philippines.
AES said in a statement that it broke ground on its battery-based energy storage array at Masinloc in Zambales, which will provide 10 megawatts (MW) of capacity and enhance the reliability of the Luzon grid. The Masinloc Array is expected to be completed by mid-2016.
“It will be one of the first advanced energy storage installations in Southeast Asia and among the largest in all of Asia,” AES said.
The company said the energy storage facility will strengthen the Luzon grid by providing fast response ancillary services like frequency regulation. This solution is especially valuable to island grids facing challenges in instantaneously matching supply and demand across a smaller pool of resources, AES said.
AES Asia strategic business unit president Marty Crotty and AES Philippines managing director Neeraj Bhat led the groundbreaking ceremony last Dec. 15, according to company information. Several local government officials spearheaded by Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and representatives from the Department of Energy, and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) also participated in the groundbreaking.
“AES is pleased to bring this pioneering technology and application to the Philippines. Battery-based energy storage will play a critical role in tomorrow’s grid, helping to improve stability, lower total system costs, and incorporate higher volumes of renewable energy projects. We look forward to working with key stakeholders to demonstrate the value and capabilities of this technology,” Bhat said.
