Beacon Power Begins Formal Field Test of Smart Energy Matrix Frequency Regulation System
Beacon Power Corp. announced that initial functional testing on its scale-power Smart Energy Matrix flywheel frequency regulation system in New York has been completed, and that the system has been commissioned and begun its formal field trial. The system will be evaluated for approximately six months, during which time it will be monitored and controlled by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program officials. The objective of this demonstration is to show that Beacon Power's flywheel energy storage can be a more cost-effective, responsive, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional frequency regulation methods. The system was delivered earlier this year under contract to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), with partial funding from the U.S. DOE.
"We're very pleased to achieve this important milestone in the development of our flywheel systems," said Bill Capp, Beacon president and CEO. "Our progress in this area has been continuous and is the result of a highly focused and dedicated team effort. With rising fossil fuel prices, increased electricity demand, and a fragile power grid, clean, fast-responding solutions like Beacon's frequency regulation flywheel systems have the potential to deliver better performance and sustainable value to grid operators."
The Amsterdam, New York-based system was installed in March 2006. It is connected to the grid at a manufacturing facility, where it may also be used later on to provide back-up power support. This next phase of the contract consists of a rigorous "hands off" test regimen, designed to show durability, responsiveness, and performance to specifications designed for frequency regulation ancillary services on utility grids.
Beacon's second demonstration system, installed at a grid substation in San Ramon, California, is completing an extended period of pre-field trial preparation. This preparation included minor upgrades based on the experience gained from the system in New York, establishing secure communications control links, and development and approval by the California Energy Commission of extensive field-test procedures. It is expected that the formal field trial, which will also be independently monitored by the U.S. Department of Energy, will begin within the next several weeks. Results are expected to be reported before the end of 2006.
