Sep 18 2015
A 1 megawatt (MW)/2 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy system powered by LG Chem batteries has been commissioned for Southern Company and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) at a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in the Southeastern region of the U.S.
Electrical energy is stored inside this building in Cedartown, GA, using commercially-available, field-deployed LG Chem batteries. Photo courtesy of Southern Company
The battery energy storage system (BESS) is installed in the service territory of Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company. This project will assess the technology’s ability to enhance the integration of a 1 MW solar PV system in Cedartown, Georgia, and evaluate the grid impacts of the BESS in support of multiple applications, such as load smoothing, peak shaving, and voltage support.
LG Chem successfully executed the project in close collaboration with Southern Company, EPRI, and ABB, who supplied enclosure and power conversion equipment.
LG Chem’s role in the project includes supplying the batteries and power conversion equipment, battery installation, commissioning and operations and maintenance.
EPRI will assist with testing and analysis of data from the project to help Southern Company understand how well the BESS works to onboard and discharge energy from the solar farm, in conjunction with other technologies that are part of the project.
“Energy storage is a technology that can enhance grid reliability and make it easier to integrate renewable energy sources,” said Haresh Kamath, senior program manager at EPRI. “The learning and experiences gained throughout the course of the project are beneficial for moving forward an integrated grid in the U.S. and worldwide.”
“This project is strategically important to LG Chem due to the role EPRI plays in the utility industry, as well as the impact Southern Company has as one of the major energy companies in the U.S.,” said Sunghoon Jang, senior vice president, Energy Solution, LG Chem. “The successful commissioning of this project is another example of LG Chem’s capability to collaborate in order to execute and deliver energy storage solutions for the market.”
About the Electric Power Research Institute
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass. For more information please visit www.epri.com.
About LG Chem
LG Chem Ltd. is one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery manufacturers with significant market share in consumer, automotive and stationary applications. The LG Chem Energy Solution division engineers and delivers energy storage systems for utility, C&I and residential applications. LG Chem, Ltd. is a globally diversified chemical company that operates three main business units: Petrochemicals, IT & Electronic Materials, and Energy Solution. The company manufactures a wide range of products, from petrochemical goods to high-value added plastics, and extends its chemical expertise into high-tech areas such as electronic materials and rechargeable batteries. For more information, please visit www.lgchem.com.