Storing wind energy

Xcel Energy will soon begin testing a technology to demonstrate its ability to store wind energy in batteries.

Xcel Energy will soon begin testing a 1MW battery-storage technology to demonstrate its ability to store wind energy and move it to the electricity grid when needed.  Fully charged, the battery storage system could power 500 homes for over 7 hours.

The 20 50kW sodium-sulphur batteries for the project - roughly the size of two semi trailers and weighing approximately 80 tons - will be supplied by NGK Insulators. They will be able to store about 7.2MW-hours of electricity, with a charge/discharge capacity of 1MW.

The project will take place in Luverne, about 30 miles east of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with the battery installation beginning this spring adjacent, and connected to, a nearby 11MW wind farm owned by Minwind Energy. S&C Electric Company will install the battery and all associated interconnection components.

Partners in the project with Xcel Energy include the University of Minnesota, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Great Plains Institute and Minwind Energy.

Register now to continue reading

Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.  

Benefits of registering

  • In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends

  • Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year

  • Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox