Energy Storage
Renewable generation and distributed energy resources are creating a need for greater energy storage capabilities for all power producers. Whether technology advancements, regulations or incentives are driving your energy storage projects forward, we are a partner capable of finding the solution that fits.
As the market grows, we work with diverse power generation sources to understand how new storage technologies come into favor and how existing ones evolve. We have more than 3 gigawatt-hours of battery energy storage system (BESS) construction projects on our resume, and we actively work on pilot projects that advance the development of new storage technologies. Our team has experience with a range of systems, including lithium-ion, flow battery, pumped hydro, compressed air, cryogenic or liquid air, thermal energy storage, hydrogen, and gravitational energy storage. We have also implemented synchronous condenser (syncon) systems at renewable sites to support greater grid reliability.
Energy Storage Through a Direct-Hire Construction Lens
We are a full-service integrated engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contractor, deploying our vertical, in-house team to execute the engineering, environmental, procurement and direct-hire construction of energy storage and substation interconnection projects. Our EPC team has knowledge and experience in all facets of project execution and development, including environmental evaluations, interconnection studies and project execution. We integrate direct-hire construction to streamline permitting, engineering, construction and startup and commissioning.
Energy storage projects can benefit from a range of execution strategies. Beyond our integrated EPC model, we fill the role of owner’s engineer, serving as an extension of your staff to verify that plans are followed and expectations are met. Our broad experience gives us the varied perspectives needed to identify and analyze your risks and then guide you to sound decisions and investments.
Services From Project Start to Completion
As an integrated EPC firm, we go beyond detailed design and system coordination. We have extensive experience with high-voltage interconnection facilities and modular solutions that can solve for grid challenges.
We are able to complete the environmental studies required to keep your project compliant with federal, state and local regulations. We work with agencies across the country to meet the criteria for mitigation, surveys, studies and permitting. We can monitor projects throughout construction, startup and operation.
We help you navigate and achieve compliance with the ever-evolving codes, standards and regulations. We work directly with project stakeholders and governing bodies to keep your project and our team up to date, maintaining safety for all on-site.
Our business, technology and security consultancy, 1898 & Co., assists with project development, including lender assistance, strategic site selection, generation resource planning, licensor selection, technical advisory services, asset valuations, independent engineering services, and merger, acquisition and divestiture due diligence.
Experience With Battery Storage Demands
As battery technologies change, you can rely on our team to be up on the systems and techniques that affect efficiency and ongoing management of storage systems. Our experience includes:
- Lithium-ion battery storage. Li-ion systems are increasingly affordable and flexible. Pairing with wind, solar or gas generation can optimize a facility’s operations, provide black start capabilities, or provide ancillary services. Batteries also can help defer the costs of a transmission upgrade.
- Flow battery storage. For eight-hour, 12-hour or longer storage time frames, flow technology can be a solution, based on its capacity for high cycle counts, decoupling of power and energy ratings, and limited or no power degradation. We work with multiple original equipment manufacturers, chemistries and owners to scale up and design large flow battery systems for utility-scale applications.
- Thermal management and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis. Thermal management systems are essential, but implementation can be expensive at large-scale battery storage sites. We have extensive experience designing thermal systems for battery racks from various manufacturers, as well as for single-rack enclosures and full-scale buildings. We leverage in-house CFD capabilities to develop customized thermal management solutions that identify and address potential HVAC performance issues long before sites are operational.
