20 MW storage plant nears operation

The Beacon Power facility in Stephentown, NY will have a 20-MW capacity. When complete, the plant will operate continuously, storing and returning energy to the grid to provide about 10% of New York's overall frequency regulation needs.

A provider of fast-response energy storage systems and services says it has made substantial progress toward completing and partial start-up of a 20-MW flywheel frequency-regulation plant the company is building in Stephentown, NY. More than 10 MW of storage capacity (more than 100 flywheels) has been installed and tested by Beacon Power Corp., and is ready for grid connection. Some 40 flywheels (or 4 MW) have been running successfully in a “virtual” mode, connected to a temporary on-site generator that simulates the grid connection. Also in place are control software, power electronics, cooling, and other support systems for the plant’s eventual matrix of 200 flywheels.

The first 4 MW will be connected to the grid when local utility NYSEG completes work on its adjacent electrical substation. The high-voltage wiring to Beacon’s plant is in place and all major substation components are installed. The substation was in system check-out, testing, and commissioning stage as of early 2011.

Once NYSEG completes its substation, the first 4 MW of energy storage capacity will be connected and begin providing revenue-generating regulation service to the New York grid. Additional megawatts will be brought steadily online, increasing the plant’s frequency regulation capacity and revenue.

“Once the substation upgrades are complete, our only pacing item to reach full 20 MW capacity will be building and installing the remaining flywheels in Stephentown. All other associated support systems and infrastructure are already in place,” says Beacon CFO Bill Capp.

Beacon Power Corp.
www.beaconpower.com