For the advancement of renewable energy, Battery Energy Storage Stations (BESS) are crucial. According to BloombergNEF, the installed capacity of the battery storage systems will leap 122 times by 2040, reaching a global total capacity of 2850 GWh. From the exhaustive list of all BESS’s all over, we are narrowing down on the largest in terms of MWh as per the latest stats.
Moss Landing Power Station, United States
People standing near Moss Landing Power Station. Credit: Monterey Herald website
The Texas-headquartered Moss Landing Power Station holds the top spot. It will be adding another 350MW/1,400MWh BESS to its Station. Its Phase I in 2020 had about 300MW/1,200MWh storage added but it had to taken offline temporarily sighting overheating issues. Phase II remained operational through it all.
Vistra Energy and Pacific Gas & Electric are the two utility companies owning the complex. Vistra is working with LG Energy Solution for engineering aspects and with (EPC) partner Burns & McDonnell for construction. With 750MW/3,000MWh, and a new BESS construction slated by mid-2023, Moss Landing might retain its prime position for years to come.
McIntosh CAES, United States
Dubbed as the world’s largest non-hydro energy storage projects, the twin 500MW/5GWh ‘advanced’ compressed-air (CAES) projects in McIntosh, Alabama, could overtake the current U.S. BESS giant in the coming years. The CAES plant in effect stores compressed air in salt caverns that are 220 feet in width. By controlling the discharge at 340 pounds per second, the plant utilizes nuclear-sourced night-time power to produce peak power during the day. Because of its unique placement and recovery systems, they can reduce fuel usage by roughly 25%.
The Ouarzazate Solar Power Station (OSPS), Morocco
Also called the Noor Power Station, this solar power complex in Morocco is at 510 MW and is easily one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power plants. It is specifically designed to store (solar) energy in the form of heated molten salt so that electricity can be produced at night. On completion of the four phases, it would cover 6,178 acres (2,500 hectares). There is an additional 72 MW photovoltaic system planned to the tune of $2.5 billion. It is said to have a capacity of around 3,000 MWh.
Cerro Dominador Solar Power Plant, Chile
This 210-megawatt (MW) combined concentrated solar power and the photovoltaic plant in Chile can generate 1,925 MWh. Located in the arid Antofagasta Region of Chile, the EIG owned solar complex receives one of the highest solar radiations on earth. The plant uses mirror technology, similar to the Noor power station. Solar radiation is concentrated onto a central tower ‘receiver’ which will convert the energy into non-toxic molten salts. The Cerro Dominador plant can generate around 110 MW of power and generate electricity for up to 17.5 hours. A follow-up project called Likana Solar bid was auctioned at $33.99/MWh in August 2021.
Solana Generating Station, United States
It was the largest parabolic trough plant in the world when it was commissioned. Built by the Spanish company Abengoa Solar, it has a capacity of 280 MW which is enough to power 70,000 homes while claiming to eliminate 475,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. With around 1,680 MWh in capacity, the Solana Generating Station has averaged 82.4% of its estimated production value.
Dalian Energy Storage Project, China
With a 200MW/800MWh capacity, the Dalian BESS is the greatest Vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) or Litthium-free BESS. Developed by Rongke Power Co. Ltd. and UniEnergy Technologies (UET) the energy storage station is aimed at providing the services of peak load shedding and increasing overall grid stability for China’s Dalian region.
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