Eolian is one of the most successful energy investors in the U.S. We’ve funded the development of 26 GW of operating generating capacity.
What we do
Since 2005, Eolian has been an innovative investor in energy projects, including the invention of the renewable energy royalty structure that has now become an industry standard. In contrast to many firms that raise capital with short-term buy and sell strategies, Eolian and its partners have long-term views of 30+ years. This allows for a unique perspective on energy investing and an alignment with the long-term generation planning perspective of utilities, independent power producers and power market operators.
A utility promised to stop burning coal. Then Google and Meta came to town.
An energy crunch forces continued coal burning in a low-income area as data centers strain the regional power supply.
OMAHA — Residents in the low-income, largely minority neighborhood of North Omaha celebrated when they learned a 1950s-era power plant nearby would finally stop burning coal. The community has some of the region’s worst air pollution and high rates of asthma.
But when the 2023 deadline to rid that plant of coal arrived, the power company that owns it balked. Eliminating toxic emissions conflicted with a competing priority: serving massive, power-hungry Meta and Google data centers the utility helped recruit to the region before it secured enough new energy to meet the extra demand.
The fast-growing data centers — which provide computing power for artificial intelligence — are driving explosive growth in the area’s energy use. Electricity demand in Omaha has increased so much overall, according to the Omaha Public Power District, that permanently switching off the two coal-burning generators at its North Omaha plant could buckle the area’s electricity system.
“A promise was made, and then they broke it,” said Cheryl Weston, who has lived for five decades in North Omaha. “The tech companies bear responsibility for this. The coal plant is still open because they need all this energy to grow.”
Coal is now planned to burn in North Omaha through 2026, according to the utility, although Weston and other critics are skeptical it will stop then.
'Football fields' of batteries have helped Texas's grid when electricity demand is highest
Texas's battery storage capacity has increased about 2,500% since the 2021 winter storm. The booming industry has helped prevent Texas grid emergencies.
Author: Matt Houston (WFAA)
Published: 4:48 PM CDT August 20, 2024
FORT WORTH, Texas — Curious cattle lowed at the herd of people examining rows of shipping containers about thirty yards away on an overcast May morning. A heavy-duty fence surrounds the inconspicuous gray boxes. Air conditioners cooling their precious cargo emit a gentle hum. The property borders ranchland and an asphalt maker, all about three miles south of Hicks Airfield in Fort Worth. Electricity transmission lines cast a long shadow over the industrial site. "A lot of people saw, like us, the opportunity to fill a need," Stephanie Smith said, walking the gravel path between the boxes. As she turned into the array, an engineer unlocked one container to reveal its components: dozens of metal canisters resembling old computer hard drives, with neatly organized wires protruding from their ends. A "high voltage" sign warns onlookers away from the machines.
"What's happening in Texas is really exciting," Smith said. "I love what batteries can do for the grid."
Financially Backed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP)
Eolian, L.P. is a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading independent infrastructure fund manager that makes equity and debt investments in infrastructure assets and businesses. GIP targets infrastructure businesses and assets in energy, transportation, digital, water and waste sectors where they believe their expertise and relationships provide a competitive advantage. GIP has grown to be one of the world’s largest infrastructure investors and currently manages $115 billion in assets on behalf of its global investor base. The companies in GIP’s equity portfolios have combined annual revenues greater than $80 billion and employ approximately 116,000 people. Visit https://www.global-infra.com/ to learn more.
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