https://www.metering.com/industry-sectors/distributed-generation/energy-storage-acua-viridity/
[A baby step toward micro-grids, but the energy-storage operator has
found a way to generate revenue from peak-shaving so that they can
actually pay for the implementation, including wind power, photovoltaics
and battery-based on-site storage. Also provides an optimization system
and charging stations for electric vehicles. Resilience in the face of
climate change as a key driver.]
ACUA deploys energy storage battery at Atlantic treatment plant
April 19, 2018
New Jersey’s Atlantic County Utility Authority (ACUA) selected
demand-side management solutions firm Viridity Energy Solutions for the
development and operation of an energy storage system.
Viridity partnered with engineering and construction services company
Rettew to install energy storage batteries developed by Johnson Controls.
The energy storage battery system was installed at ACUA’s wastewater
treatment plant in Atlantic City.
Viridity is also providing its VPower energy management and optimisation
software for real time operation of the energy storage plant.
The battery storage system was integrated with an onsite 7.5MW wind
farm, 500KW solar PV generator and electric vehicle charging stations.
Viridity will operate and manage the integrated system for ACUA over a
period of 20 years. The solution provider will receive a portion of the
utility bill savings created through peak shaving over the term of the
agreement. The integrated system is participating in the PJM regional
energy market
ACUA is implementing the project to reduce its energy costs at the
wastewater treatment plant, as well as reduce their carbon footprint.
The system began operations in the first quarter of 2018, according to a
statement.
Atlantic County Utilities Authority President Rick Dovey, said: “Battery
storage technology is the critical component to developing a smart grid
and it has the potential to completely revolutionise power generation.
“Superstorm Sandy was an eye-opener for ACUA in that it became apparent
that we needed to become resilient in the face of future storm events
and have the ability to operate and not lose power. Renewable energy,
for all of the positives, has one limitation – that power is
intermittent; wind and solar are not always producing power when you
need it. You must either use it or lose it.
"Through a grant from the NJBPU, we have partnered with Viridity to
bring a battery storage project to ACUA. Not only will this battery
allow us to store electricity generated from wind and solar, but it will
also play an important role in balancing supply and demand of the
electric grid.”
Mack Treece, CEO of Viridity. “Working together with ACUA, we are
utilising Viridity’s BSAAS solution to reduce their energy costs and to
generate revenue from the PJM energy market, all of this at no cost to
ACUA. Viridity’s BSAAS is a unique solution that provides customers with
all of the benefits of battery storage, including reducing peak usage to
lower energy costs, provide power back-up and power quality, while also
assisting the utility grid in maintaining the performance of the grid.”
