With autumn settling in, competitive power suppliers around the nation are firing on all cylinders to bring reliable, lower-emitting, and cost-effective power to customers nationwide. From Cogentrix’ plans to transform a dormant coal plant into a clean, reliable new energy source and Jupiter Power’s battery storage resources supporting Texas’ power supply – to a Vistra subsidiary providing incentives for corporations to be energy responsible, read on to see how EPSA member companies are building the power grid of tomorrow.
Cogentrix to Bring to Life a Former Power Plant for Battery Storage
Cogentrix is developing a 45-MW battery storage development facility in western Massachusetts, which will replace a fossil fuel-powered plant, providing a precedent for future similar projects. The plant is the former West Springfield Generating Station, a facility with a long history – having utilized coal, and later adding natural gas, to provide power since 1949. It closed operations in 2022, and Cogentrix will bring it to life in a new way. According to Energy Daily, the project is currently in permitting stages but does have the endorsement of the town’s mayor, William Reichfeldt, who has been engaged with the rest of the town in the property and ways to use it for the past several months. “I look forward to the potential redevelopment of this site,” Reichelt told Energy News Network. “Though we are in the early stages of what’s possible…any improvement to the site will certainly benefit the community and the region.”
Jupiter Power’s Batteries Help Save Texas from Outages
EPSA member companies are leaders in developing battery storage capacity, owning and operating the nation’s largest facilities while actively developing new projects throughout the U.S.
In an example of how battery storage can be a strong resource for overall grid reliability, particularly in times of high demand or other challenges, Jupiter Power’s batteries helped keep Texas homes and businesses’ lights on during a “white-knuckle” moment in early September using 400 MW worth of battery storage. When a transmission line in South Texas suddenly malfunctioned, leaving a large gap in power supply, ERCOT had to implement emergency mode, going a step further from usual consumer calls for conservation, and instead offering to pay large industrial customers to cut down on their power usage. That’s when Jupiter Power and other power generators stepped in with their battery capacity, filling in the missing power supply left by the transmission line. As reported by The Texas Tribune, CEO of Jupiter Power Andy Bowman said, “Energy storage is increasingly a part of making ends meet from a supply point of view.”
bp Invests in Environmental Care While Bringing More Solar to TX
bp kicked off construction on the 187-MW Peacock Solar project in Texas, which will provide enough electricity to power 34,000 homes, as well as creating over 300 jobs through construction. Electrifying homes and supporting jobs are not the only ways bp’s project will help the community. The company will also be working to care for the environment, improve habitat, and keep farmland in production in the area – by planting vegetation and encouraging sheep grazing at the site.
“Securing this agreement and kicking off construction of Peacock helps support the transition to lower carbon energy, while benefiting local communities and the economy”, a bp spokesperson told Rigzone. “It’s another way bp is accelerating growth of our U.S. solar generation capacity, investing in America, and advancing our transformation to an integrated energy company.”
Vistra’s TXU Energy Announces 2023 Energy Leadership Awards Recipients
Vistra’s TXU Energy announced the recipients of its 2023 Energy Leadership Awards, which recognize corporate and nonprofit leaders defining energy responsibility, at its TXU Energy Summit.
“TXU Energy is proud to recognize this year’s winners and their commitment to a clean energy future,” said Gabe Castro, senior vice president of business markets for TXU Energy in a press release. “From cutting-edge ideas to sustainable solutions, these companies and organizations are showing energy leadership in action. We are honored to be partners on this mission.”
The five winners include:
- Leadership in Energy Management – American Airlines Center
- Leadership in Sustainability – NTT DATA
- Leadership in Engagement – Irving, Texas Independent School District
- Leadership in Innovation – Bell Textron Inc. (“Bell”)
- Leadership in Community – Sharing Life Outreach
