First Wind Completes Kaheawa Wind II Project in Hawaii with Energy Storage System.

First Wind, an independent U.S.-based wind energy company, has announced that construction of the 21 megawatt (MW) Kaheawa Wind II project has been completed and commercial operations have begun. Located above Ma‘alaea harbor in West Maui, Kaheawa Wind II features an innovative battery energy storage system to assist in meeting performance standards and smoothing fluctuations in wind energy output.

Early last year, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved a power purchase agreement between Kaheawa Wind II and Maui Electric Company to sell as-available renewable energy to Maui Electric at pre-determined prices over a 20-year term. The project expansion further advances the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, which aims to have 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy come from clean, renewable sources by 2030.

The Kaheawa II project also features a state-of-the-art battery storage system developed by Xtreme Power of Austin, TX. Its Dynamic Power Resource (DPR) is a utility‐scale battery system that assists in meeting stringent performance standards and smoothing fluctuations in wind energy output. The system will maximize wind energy efficiency and helps MECO maintain reliable service for its customers.

First Wind, of Boston, Massachusetts, builds and operates utility-scale wind projects in the United States. First Wind operates wind projects in the Northeast, the West and Hawaii, with the capacity to generate up to 772 megawatts of power and projects under construction with the capacity to generate up to an additional 208 megawatts. (7/5/2012)

Links.

First Wind

Xtreme Power

Related.

First Wind Starts Major Construction Work on Palouse Wind Project.

First Wind Completes $236 Million Financing for 69 MW Kawailoa Wind Project.

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