• America’s Oil Country Increasingly Runs on Renewables

    America’s Oil Country Increasingly Runs on Renewables

    Texas, the biggest oil-producing state, has turned to solar power and battery storage to see it through extreme weather. But with demand rising, much more power will be needed.

    By Reporting from Houston / Sept. 18, 2024, 11:16 a.m. ET

    During the scorching summer of 2023, the Texas energy grid wobbled as surging demand for electricity threatened to exceed supply. Several times, officials called on residents to conserve energy to avoid a grid failure.

    This year it turned out much better — thanks in large part to more renewable energy.

    The electrical grid in Texas has breezed through a summer in which, despite milder temperatures, the state again reached record levels of energy demand. It did so largely thanks to the substantial expansion of new solar farms.

    READ MORE AT THE NEW YORK TIMES

  • CPS Energy

    CPS ENERGY SECURES 350 MW OF FUTURE BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE FOR GENERATION PORTFOLIO

    This addition will bring the utility’s total battery energy storage to 400 MW under contract

    August 28, 2024 (SAN ANTONIO) – CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility in the United States, has entered into two storage capacity agreements (SCAs) with Eolian L.P. (Eolian) for a total of 350 megawatts (MW) of battery energy storage, adding to a 50 MW SCA signed with Eolian in 2023, as the utility continues the execution of its Vision 2027 generation plan.
    The battery energy storage projects, called “Ferdinand” and “Padua 2”, have a storage capacity of 200 MW and 150 MW, respectively.  Both projects are located in South Bexar County, Texas and will be newly constructed and expected to be online in the first half of 2026.  Having storage resources strategically located in CPS Energy’s service territory contributes to overall grid resiliency and benefits customers.

    Not including the 10 MW operational in the current portfolio, the signing of these SCAs brings CPS Energy’s total battery storage capacity under contract to 400 MW combined.

    READ MORE

  • 'Football fields' of batteries have helped Texas's grid when electricity demand is highest

    '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."

    Smith is chief operating officer at Eolian, which operates the Chisholm Grid battery farm. Eolian buys power off nearby transmission infrastructure to charge its array when electricity is plentiful and its wholesale price is low. It will sell that stored electricity back to the grid when demand drives up prices. The process is similar to stock trading. "You're trying to take advantage of the times when there's extra power, and then you're putting it in the market when the market needs it," Smith said.

    READ MORE AND WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE SMITH, COO 

Eolian in the News

Send all media inquiries to: media@eolianenergy.com

PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth

Eolian and Group of Global Banks Announce Closing of $390 Million Renewable Energy Financing

BURLINGAME, Calif., July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eolian, L.P. ("Eolian"), a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners ("GIP"), together with Santander Corporate & Investment Bank, MUFG, National Australia Bank, Natixis, Lloyds Bank, and SMBC, today announced the closing of a $315 million renewable energy green loan and $75 million revolving credit facility, building on a $515 million green loan closed in June 2023 with the same group of global banking institutions.  This financing is secured by a diverse group of eligible green project assets created by Eolian and is aligned with the four pillars of the Green Loan Principles, jointly published by the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA), the Loan Market Association (LMA) and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA) in February 2023.

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IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

SRP and Aypa Power Announce New Battery Storage System to Help Meet Growing Energy Demand

Salt River Project (SRP) and Aypa Power have entered into an agreement to provide 250 megawatts (MW) / 1,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of new energy storage to the Arizona grid. 

The Signal Butte energy storage project will be a 250 MW, four-hour battery energy storage system located in the Elliot Road Technology Corridor in Mesa, AZ. The project will utilize lithium-ion technology and will have the capacity to power over 50,000 average-sized residential homes over a four-hour period. The project is scheduled to be operational by mid-year 2026. 

“SRP is proud of our continued efforts to deploy battery storage, which will help us maximize use of renewable resources and decarbonize our portfolio in the coming years,” said Bobby Olsen, SRP Associate General Manager and Chief Planning, Strategy and Sustainability Executive. “The Signal Butte project will also help us meet the growing capacity needs of the Phoenix metropolitan area.” 

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IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

AI is exhausting the power grid. Tech firms are seeking a miracle solution.

The mighty Columbia River has helped power the American West with hydroelectricity since the days of FDR’s New Deal. But the artificial intelligence revolution will demand more. Much more.

So near the river’s banks in central Washington, Microsoft is betting on an effort to generate power from atomic fusion — the collision of atoms that powers the sun — a breakthrough that has eluded scientists for the past century. Physicists predict it will elude Microsoft, too.

The tech giant and its partners say they expect to harness fusion by 2028, an audacious claim that bolsters their promises to transition to green energy but distracts from current reality. In fact, the voracious electricity consumption of artificial intelligence is driving an expansion of fossil fuel use — including delaying the retirement of some coal-fired plants.

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PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth

Eolian Announces Closing Of $515 Million Green Loan

BURLINGAME, Calif., June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eolian, L.P. ("Eolian"), a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners ("GIP"), together with Banco Santander, MUFG, National Australia Bank, Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, and SMBC, today announced the closing of a $515 million renewable energy green loan. This financing is secured by a diverse group of eligible green projects developed by Eolian over the past 20 years and is aligned with the four pillars of the Green Loan Principles, jointly published by the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA), the Loan Market Association (LMA) and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA) in February 2023.

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IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

PGE bolsters reliability of clean energy transition with region's largest battery storage addition

Two new local projects will add 400 megawatts of non-emitting capacity, helping PGE integrate more clean energy into its portfolio

PORTLAND, Ore., April 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) today announced the procurement of 400 megawatts (MWAC) of new battery storage projects – a critical tool in Oregon's clean energy transition and the largest single procurement of standalone energy storage to date by a utility in the U.S. outside the state of California. These projects, located at substations close to electrical demand, will store enough electricity to power all PGE customer homes in a city the size of Portland for an entire evening on battery-delivered energy alone

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IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) Announces Signing of 200 MWac Arkansas Clean Power Project with Meta

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), a leading renewable energy producer in the U.S., today announced the signing of a long-term renewable energy off-take agreement with Meta. The Long Lake Project (Long Lake) will be a 200 megawatt (MWac) facility in Phillips County, Arkansas. DESRI has executed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Meta to provide energy and capacity for its growing energy needs in the region.

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IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Sol Systems Acquires 91 MW Indiana Solar Project from Orion Renewable Power Resources

Washington, D.C., June 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Washington, D.C.-based Sol Systems, LLC (“Sol Systems”), announced the acquisition of a 91 megawatt (MWdc) solar development project in Spencer County, Indiana from Orion Renewable Power Resources, LLC (“Orion”), a joint venture between Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC and Eolian, L.P. (“Eolian”). The project, known as Grandview, is part of Sol Systems’ Impact + Infrastructure growth strategy.

“This acquisition builds on Sol Systems’ significant footprint in the Midwest,” said Yuri Horwitz, CEO of Sol Systems. “We are eager to kick-off the construction phase of this project which will bring new clean energy and opportunities to the local community and region.”

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IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Golden Hills Wind Farm in Oregon Achieves Commercial Operation

May 02, 2022 01:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time

ORANGE, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avangrid Renewables, LLC, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), today announced that it has achieved commercial operation at its 200 Megawatt (MW) Golden Hills wind farm in Sherman County, Oregon. The facility, which provides enough clean, renewable electricity to Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to power over 60,000 homes annually, began operations on April 29, 2022.

The project will help PSE meet its goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while providing additional capacity to serve customers, particularly during winter periods of high electricity demand. The project is Avangrid Renewables’ 7th wind project in Sherman County, 11th in Oregon, and 14th in the Pacific Northwest.

“Delivering on this project represents an important milestone for Avangrid Renewables as we continue to build on our robust portfolio of project in the Pacific Northwest region and advance our position as a leading renewable energy developer in the U.S.,” said Jose Antonio Miranda, Avangrid Renewables’ president and CEO, Onshore. “We are pleased to work with Puget Sound Energy to help it meet its ambitious goals to reduce emissions and provide clean, reliable power to its customers.

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PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth PRESS RELEASE Stephanie Seiferth

Eolian Announces Closing Of $925 Million Renewable Energy Financing

NEW YORK, April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eolian, L.P. ("Eolian"), a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners ("GIP"), together with Banco Santander, Natixis, MUFG and Mizuho, today announced the closing of a $925 million renewable energy financing. This novel structured transaction will further advance multiple strategies already underway as the Eolian team rapidly accelerates the deployment of cost-effective decarbonizing technologies across the US.

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IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking Executes $100 Million Letter of Credit Facility for Eolian

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, acting as Sole Lead Arranger and Letter of Credit Issuer, has announced the closing of a USD $100 million Letter of Credit Facility on November 11, 2021, to support Eolian, L.P. Eolian was formed in December 2020 through a consolidation of energy assets that had been assembled starting in 2005 by the founding management team and today includes an expansive nationwide development portfolio as well as revenue interests in more than 20,000 MW of operating energy storage, solar and wind projects across the United States. Eolian is owned by its employees and funds managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a global, independent infrastructure investor. Eolian expands on GIP's global renewables investment strategy, which has a proven track record of value creation. GIP's current portfolio includes approximately $9 billion of equity investments and commitments in the sector, equity ownership interests in over 14 GW of operating renewable and battery storage assets, and 99 GW under construction or in development.

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IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth IN THE NEWS Stephanie Seiferth

D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) Announces Signing of 350MWac of Clean Power Projects with Entergy Louisiana

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), a leading renewable energy producer in the U.S., today announced the signing of three renewable energy off-take agreements with Entergy Louisiana (ELL). The solar facilities will be built under power purchase agreements (PPAs) or build transfer agreements (BTAs) with ELL to support its growing renewable energy portfolio in the region and help power local customers' electricity needs:

The Vacherie Solar Energy Center (Vacherie) will be a 150 MWac facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana;

The SJ Louisiana Solar Project (SJ Solar) will be a 150 MWac facility in St. James Parish, adjacent to Vacherie;

The Sunlight Road Solar Project (Sunlight Road) will be a 50 MWac solar facility in Washington Parish.

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