Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) announced that crews have installed the first battery modules for the Manatee Energy Storage Center, which will shatter industry records when it becomes the world’s largest integrated solar-powered battery system later this year.
The FPL touted the installation of more than 50,000 battery modules that will comprise the world’s largest solar-powered battery. The Manatee Energy Storage Center, which is now 75 percent finished with 100 of 132 total containers already installed, boasts the ability to deliver 900 MWh of energy – enough to power 329,000 homes for more than two hours. Additionally, each battery module has the capacity to store an amount of solar energy equivalent to 2,000 iPhone batteries. Combined, the battery system will be equivalent to 100 million iPhone batteries.
“With one milestone after another, FPL is following through on its steadfast commitment to make Florida a leader in sustainability and resiliency as we consistently deliver America’s best energy value – electricity that’s not just clean and reliable, but also affordable,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. “In June, we said goodbye to coal by dismantling FPL’s last coal plant in Florida just as we surpassed 40% of the way toward completing our ’30-by-30’ plan to install 30 million solar panels by 2030. Soon, the world’s largest solar-powered battery will begin serving customers, and we’ll turn our attention to an innovative green hydrogen pilot project – which could unlock the potential for a 100% carbon-free energy future.”
Charged by the existing Manatee Solar Energy Center, the battery will also be able to increase the predictability of solar – extending its benefits even when the sun’s not shining, such as at night or on a cloudy day. By deploying energy from the batteries when there is higher demand for electricity, FPL will offset the need to run other power plants – further reducing emissions and saving customers money through avoided fuel costs.
“With more than 12 million solar panels installed and more than 40 solar energy centers in operation, FPL is building on its rapid solar expansion with the world’s largest solar-powered battery,” said FPL Vice President of Development Matt Valle, who delivered today’s construction update. “But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. FPL is implementing innovative battery storage projects across the state, transforming Florida’s transportation landscape with more than 1,000 EV chargers and partnering with universities and municipalities on battery systems that leverage cutting-edge microgrid technology.”
Ultimately, the battery system will consist of 132 energy storage containers organized across a 40-acre plot of land, or the equivalent of 30 football fields. Each container will hold roughly 400 battery modules, which will be charged by the neighboring FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center.
FPL expects the battery to begin serving customers at the end of 2021.
“enough to power 329,000 homes for more than two hours.”. LOL. Hurry, we can watch half of the Superbowl on sunlight!
or is it 658,000 homes for more than 1 hour. What a meaningless statistic.
I guess powering 65,000 homes during daylight hours didn’t sound impressive enough?
Your FPL Strategy isn’t reflecting today’s contemporary vision. Power storage in many cases are being taken off the grid , not only in Florida but throughout the Globe..FPL is a great organization, it needs to share with their customers & shareholders that your teams are collaborating with the worlds best. This is a Global effort , you need to share your BIC Global Vision with both your Domestic & International Customers.
“Growing BIC Products & Services Together “
This will help FF plants as well as solar by not having to start a new plant up for short term demand. Most of the wear, tear on FF plants comes from starting up, shutting down.
Nor is there a problem with solar being variable as so it load and that has been handled well 100 yrs now.
I’d much rather seen these deployed at local substations where they do the most good.
The question is what will happen in 10 yrs when 50% of homes, businesses make, store their own power and more to sell plus EVs that store and sell power too?
And most of their assets are stranded, no longer needed?
Can you say utility is bankrupt?