News | August 29, 2003

ABB and Saft bring record breaking battery energy storage system on-line to reinforce GVEA grid in Alaska against power outages

The BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) for Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) in Alaska is already capable of delivering 40 MW.

Golden Valley Electrical Association (GVEA) in Fairbanks, Alaska has energised a new US$30-million BESS (Battery Energy Storage System). The BESS will stabilise the local grid and reduce its vulnerability to events like the recent blackout in the north eastern US and Canada. A consortium led by ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, supplied and installed the BESS.

At the heart of the world's most powerful storage battery system are two core components. First are the Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries, developed by Saft. Second is the converter, designed and supplied by ABB. The converter changes the batteries' DC power into AC power ready for use in GVEA's transmission system.

The official dedication ceremony for the Golden Valley BESS took place on August 26 when ABB and Saft brought the first three strings of the battery on line. The BESS is configured to operate in several distinct modes, each of them aimed at stabilizing the GVEA system if power supply problems occur. This is a critical feature for this type of system and is one reason why battery energy storage is widely regarded as a vital component of the electricity delivery infrastructure of tomorrow.

During commissioning tests the Saft battery and the ABB power conversion system set an unofficial world record by achieving a peak discharge of 26.7 MW with just two strings operational. This makes the Alaskan BESS over 27 percent more powerful than the previous record holder - a 21 MW BESS commissioned by PREPA (the Puerto Rico Power Authority) at Sabana Llana, Puerto Rico in 1994.

Although the BESS is initially configured with four battery strings, it can readily be expanded to six strings to provide a full 40 MW for 15 minutes. The facility can ultimately accommodate up to eight battery strings, giving considerable flexibility to boost output or prolong the useful life of the system beyond the planned operation for 20 years.

Saft designed and built the battery, which comprises nearly 13,760 rechargeable cells in four parallel strings. Saft is providing a 'cradle to grave' service by taking responsibility for the recycling of each nickel-cadmium cell.

About the Alaskan BESS
The Alaskan BESS will eventually comprise a total of 13,760 Saft SBH 920 high-performance rechargeable nickel-cadmium cells arranged in four parallel strings to provide a nominal voltage of 5,000 V and a storage capacity of 3,680 Ah. The complete battery will weigh around 1300 tonnes and occupy a space of 940 square metres.

When all four battery strings are in place, which is scheduled towards the end of this year, the capacity will increase to 46 MW, more than twice as powerful as the Puerto Rican battery.

In addition to supplying the nickel-cadmium cells, Saft is also providing a distributed filling system, to ensure that the cells can be easily filled with the correct level of electrolyte, together with a sophisticated electronic battery monitoring system.

Background on GVEA
GVEA (www.gvea.com) is a rural electric cooperative based in Fairbanks, Alaska, serving 90,000 residents spread over 2,200 square miles. Back-up power is essential to the local population, due to the extremely low temperatures, which in winter can fall to 51° below zero Celsius. A dwelling without power under these conditions will begin to experience frozen pipes in just a few hours.

Traditional solutions for producing reserve power require building and maintaining transmission and generation capacity well in excess of normal demand, so the BESS represents an extremely cost-effective and efficient alternative for GVEA. In operation, it will produce up to 27 MW of power for 15 minutes, which allows the utility enough time to bring back-up generation on line. While the BESS is capable of producing 46 MW for 3 minutes, GVEA's primary need for the system is to cover the 15-minute period resulting from sudden loss of generation and start-up of back-up generation.

ABB background
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 133,000 people.

Saft background
Saft (www.saftbatteries.com) holds a leading position in the worldwide marketplace for self-contained energy solutions. Saft's product range includes portable sources, industrial and advanced technology batteries.