The new battery storage facility enhancing grid reliability in Texas.
esVolta and B2U Storage Solutions have announced significant battery storage initiatives in Texas, enhancing grid reliability with a combined energy capacity of almost 1 GWh. esVolta’s projects include Desert Willow, Anole, and Burksol, while B2U is focusing on repurposing EV batteries for a second-life project. These initiatives aim to stabilize the ERCOT grid and support sustainable energy practices in the region.
esVolta has launched three battery energy storage projects in Texas, marking a significant step towards enhancing grid reliability in the state. Together, these projects boast a combined capacity of almost 1 GWh of energy and 490 MW of peak power, contributing approximately 4% of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ (ERCOT) expected 12.2 GW storage capacity anticipated by July 2025.
The battery storage projects include:
Each project employs two-hour duration lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) systems, designed for versatility in responding to energy demands.
In bringing these projects to fruition, esVolta collaborated with Saber Power for the Desert Willow and Burksol projects, while forming a partnership with Quanta Infrastructure Solutions Group for the Anole project. Financial support was secured through a partnership with Captona LLC for preferred equity investment alongside construction debt financing obtained from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG).
The newly operational projects aim to enhance ERCOT’s grid stability by providing fast-response energy and ancillary services. By stabilizing the grid, they play an essential role in addressing Texas’s increasing demand for electricity. The areas of land utilized include 13 acres for Desert Willow, 44 acres for Anole, and 10 acres for Burksol.
In a parallel effort, B2U Storage Solutions is developing a second-life battery storage project in Bexar County, Texas, utilizing retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This initiative is part of a broader aim to support energy storage capacity in the region, targeting a total of 100 MWh with four planned projects over the next year.
The B2U projects will incorporate systems with a 10 MW capacity, each capable of discharging for over two hours at full output. The company’s inaugural project in Lancaster, California, which utilizes repurposed EV batteries, has demonstrated remarkable performance by surpassing initial expectations in battery cycles.
Utilizing second-life EV batteries is expected to offer energy storage solutions at costs that are approximately 30% to 40% lower than those of new lithium-ion systems. B2U’s funding strategy comprises a blend of external equity, debt, and tax benefits, enabling accelerated growth and scalability of their projects.
The B2U projects are strategically positioned near population centers that face transmission constraints, thereby optimizing their efficiency within the ERCOT market. Alongside expanding clean energy storage, repurposing EV batteries provides a responsible solution to waste linked with the rising popularity of electric vehicles.
With plans for three additional storage projects in Texas, B2U has successfully managed over 2,000 retired batteries through its systems, further reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and efficient energy practices in the state.
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