Largest energy company in the U.S. —as measured by retail electricity produced and sold—, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is installing the first battery storage components at its FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center. Indeed, the Company expects this project to become the largest solar-powered battery storage facility in the world.
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About the FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center project
Worth noting, the energy storage system will power the equivalent of 329,000 homes for more than 2 hours. Besides, it will have 409 MW of output and 900 MWh of capacity. Likewise, the facility will enable FPL’s customers to enjoy the benefits of solar even during non-sunlight times, such as at night or during inclement weather.
Particularly, the recently installed storage container is the first of 132 units that will ultimately be installed by FPL onsite. Indeed, each unit weighs approximately 38 tons and is roughly 36 feet long by 11 feet in height and width. Accordingly, the container will hold around 400 battery modules, with each battery module being equivalent to about 2,000 iPhone batteries.
Thus, these battery modules will store the extra solar energy produced by the neighboring FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center. Particularly, this will be possible when the sun’s rays are strongest. Lastly, FPL is expecting its Parrish-based Manatee Energy Storage Center to begin serving customers later this year.
In this sense, Eric Silagy, FPL president, and CEO said in a media release; “This innovative and world record-breaking battery is yet another example of how FPL executes on bold ideas; particularly, to continue delivering customers America’s best energy value.”
Silagy added that the Company delivers “electricity that’s not just clean and reliable, but also affordable.” Moreover, he continued, “energy storage is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to building on our rapid solar expansion. Also, to delivering a brighter, more sustainable energy future that all of us can depend on, including the next generation.”
Other solar energy centers’ efforts by the company
Therefore, “the Manatee Energy Storage Center isn’t just bringing the Sunshine State one step closer to around-the-clock solar power; it is also helping turn Florida into a world leader in clean energy and sustainability,” Silagy concluded.
In fact, FPL and its sister companies have researched battery storage technology for several years. Accordingly, the Company wanted to know more about its potential benefits, from grid stabilization to improved solar integration.
In this way, in 2018, FPL unveiled the largest combined operating solar and storage power plant at Babcock Ranch in Charlotte County. Thus, and through further additions, the Company currently operates 41 solar energy centers across more than 20 Florida counties.
Worth noting, in addition to completing the world’s largest solar-powered battery storage facility by the end of 2021, FPL is also constructing nine additional solar energy centers. Hence, by the end of the decade, the Company forecasts that nearly 40% of its power will come from zero-emissions energy sources; indeed, a more than 65% increase from 2020.