Spanish-based renewable energy developer X-ELIO has announced the launch of its first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project in the U.S.
The BESS project has a total capacity of 60 MW and will be co-located with Liberty 1 Solar, a 72-MW photovoltaic (PV) solar plant that X-ELIO is building near Houston, Texas.
Liberty 1 Solar is expected to come online in early 2024, producing 137 GWh of clean energy per year and avoiding the emission of 52.4 tons of CO2. The project is also anticipated to contribute over $130 million in capital investment to the state of Texas and create up to 125 construction jobs.
The energy generated by Liberty 1 Solar will be sold to chemicals producer BASF through a power purchase agreement that X-ELIO closed with the company in September 2022.
According to X-ELIO, the BESS project will provide a reliable and cost-effective way to store surplus renewable energy produced by the plant during times of low demand. This stored energy can then be released into the grid during peak demand times, helping to ensure a stable supply of clean energy.
The company is partnering with French battery manufacturer Saft and Spanish energy storage firm Power Electronics on the project. Under the deal, SAFT will supply 34 Intensium Max containers and 17 power conversion systems.
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Additionally, the system is expected to support grid voltage and frequency as an ancillary service. The BESS is also designed to allow for future expansion, with the potential to increase capacity from a 1.2-hour system to a 2-hour system (60 MW-120 MWh).
X-ELIO notes that it started investing in energy storage one year ago and this BESS project is its largest to date. It also marks the first project in a GW-scale pipeline that the company is building globally.
“Launching this new battery project is a major milestone for X-ELIO and another step in our strategy to expand our business model to synergistic adjacencies to our core solar business,” Mirko Molinari, Chief Commercial Officer of X-ELIO, said.
Headquartered in Spain, X-ELIO specializes in the development, construction, financing and operation of renewable and sustainable energy projects with a global presence in Europe, the U.S., Latin America, Japan and Australia.
