How it Works: Convergent and National Grid’s Solar-Plus-Storage System Providing an NWA
@Convergent Energy + Power, a leading provider of energy storage solutions in North America, and National Grid, an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people throughout New York and New England, completed one of the first solar-plus-storage systems providing a non-wires-alternative (NWA). The system, designed, constructed, and operated by Convergent, will deliver more cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable electricity to National Grid customers in Cicero, New York, while leveraging solar energy during nonpeak periods.
An NWA removes or defers the need to construct or upgrade components of a distribution and/or transmission system. Energy storage (typically battery storage) is a type of NWA that offers utilities a way to increase capacity on the electric grid by charging the batteries when electricity demand is low and discharging when demand outstrips supply. Convergent’s NWA with National Grid pairs battery energy storage with solar energy (solar-plus-storage).
Through a competitive bidding process, National Grid selected Convergent to cost-effectively increase capacity at its Pine Grove substation, increasing benefits for customers while increasing the amount of solar energy on the grid. National Grid will utilize the system on peak days to provide seamless reliability to customers served by the substation. During off-peak days, Convergent will participate in the market to provide clean energy for National Grid customers.
Convergent’s 10 MW/40 MWh of energy storage paired with 15 MWdc of solar for National Grid is part of Convergent’s portfolio of eight solar-plus-storage systems in Central and Upstate New York.
Learn more at convergentep.com.
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