Aboitiz Power Corporation, through subsidiary Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI), has recently begun installing its first battery energy storage system (BESS) aimed at supporting the Mindanao Grid.
Once completed, the 49-megawatt TMI BESS facility in Maco, Davao De Oro will fortify the company’s capability to supply power to the grid, especially with limited power supply from hydropower plants in the summer months due to low water levels.
BESS is a type of energy storage system that is capable of storing energy electrochemically. It can be connected to the grid, small grid, distribution system, or end-user facility to deliver the energy demand when needed.
TMI’s BESS is the first of its kind in the Philippines in terms of the hybrid concept, putting together two complementing technologies to ensure a fast and sustained energy delivery. This is one of the 12 projects with a total capacity of 248MW for regulating and contingency reserves that AboitizPower is targeting to develop in the next 10 years. It will serve as AboitizPower’s model for its future battery investments, as well as hybrid renewable energy projects.
“Our foray into battery technology is a key component of our [ten-year] growth strategy, which ultimately aims to address the energy trilemma of energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability,” AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said.
“The battery technology presents a great opportunity for AboitizPower to address concerns on the reliability, affordability, and sustainability of energy supply. By ensuring the stability of our grid, we are responding to the needs of our customers and communities, as well as supporting economic growth,” he added.
The Department of Energy projected that the system peak demand will reach 53,679MW by 2040. With this forecasted demand growth, it is necessary to ensure the grid’s stability to provide consumers with a reliable supply of electricity.
