Texas is already the second-highest producer of solar energy, and one exciting new project is set to expand the Lone Star State's capabilities even further, Renewable Energy Magazine reported.
The project — which is actually three projects under the same portfolio — will provide large Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to capture and store renewable energy.
"A battery energy storage system is no longer an afterthought or an add-on, but rather an important pillar of any energy strategy," electrification company Enel X shared on its website. "The batteries can mitigate the intermittent nature of renewable power by storing solar power produced during the day for nighttime use, thus guaranteeing a steady supply of power at all times."
Similar to a backup generator, these BESS projects will allow Texans to rely on guaranteed energy supply day and night, even in the event of inclement weather. Across all three project sites, the system will have a total capacity of 550 megawatts, or 1,433 megawatt-hours. It's set to be fully operational within a year.
The projects are all owned and financed by Excelsior Energy Capital, with renewable engineering and quality control firm Enertis Applus+ providing consulting technical support.
"BESS projects are gaining increasing relevance as part of the overall energy infrastructure," said Inaki Herrero, who works as a managing director at Enertis Applus+, per Renewable Energy Magazine. "And standalone BESS systems such as these, which are directly connected to the electrical grid, provide much-needed flexibility and reliability to the overall network."
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For homeowners who upgrade to solar power on their property, being able to access BESS or onsite batteries for storage is an excellent way to further recoup the cost of installation. Many localities offer net metering or solar buyback programs, where homeowners can receive cash or energy credits for excess energy that their panels produce.
And considering that upgrading to solar is already one of the best ways to slash home energy bills, being able to take advantage of these buyback programs makes going solar an even more wallet-friendly option.
Texas currently has five gigawatts of BESS storage capacity in operation.
The additional 550 MW of storage through these projects, Herrero explained to Renewable Energy Magazine, will "make up almost 10 percent of additional capacity for the state's storage resources and enable a considerable leap forward in the deployment of storage assets."
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