Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

GIANT Batteries for load leveling and distributed power systems.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) May 2005 Golden Valley's Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) became fully operational in November 2003. The BESS passed two critical benchmarking tests in December 2003 when it produced 27 megawatts (MW) for 24 minutes, exceeding the guarantee of 27 MW for 15 minutes. Purpose The BESS is one of GVEA's initiatives to improve the reliability of service to GVEA members. When complete, with all four strings operational, the BESS will provide 27 megawatts of power for 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes is long enough for the co-op to start up local generation when there are problems with the Intertie or power plants in Anchorage. (Alternatively, the BESS could supply up to 46 MW but the length of time would decrease to just three minutes.) GVEA's primary need is to cover the 15-minute period resulting from loss of generation and start-up of backup generation. April 19, 2005 GVEA's Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) receives Guinness world record and passes reliability test. Jim McDowall, Saft America Inc.'s Business Development Manager, presents the Guinness World Record certificate to GVEA Board President Rick Schikora and Golden Valley President & CEO Steve Haagenson. http://www.gvea.com/projects/bess.php