Invenergy commences operations at 10th Arizona battery energy storage project

Invenergy has announced the start of commercial operations for its El Sol Energy Storage Center in Arizona, a 50 MW / 200 MWh battery energy story system. This is the company’s tenth project to be put in operation in the state. 

The El Sol Energy Storage Center is located on the outskirts of Phoenix and is now operated independently via agreements with the Arizona Public Service (APS) utility.

The battery project not only enables Arizona electricity users to enjoy more reliable power through intermittent renewable energy production, but it also maximizes the state’s solar resources to help with increasingly high temperatures. Brian Cole, vice president of resource management at APS noted that Arizona has experienced an extended stretch of triple-digit temperatures this summer. He said that APS customers have used a record-breaking amount of energy as they run their air conditioners to stay cool.

The company, utility, and politicians have emphasized that Arizona‘s growing energy demand is being backed by storage, making it one of the more active states behind Texas and California.

Maren Mahoney, Director of Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency: “This project brings increased revenues into local Arizona communities and supports energy resiliency, reliability and affordability for Arizona residents and businesses. Projects like these are critical as our energy demand grows and El Sol demonstrates the potential for sustainable, private sector-led growth.”

The inauguration marks the company’s 10th battery energy storage project in Arizona to reach commercial operations since the start of 2023. The company estimates that its projects are powering over 40,000 Arizona homes with clean electricity every year.

The company’s next project, Yuma Storage, is slated to be put into operation later this year with 70 MW, while the company’s Hashknife Solar Energy Center (275 MW) is expected to begin construction also in 2024. The company has 21 projects listed on its website across all states in the US, which the company says will total 556 MW with a duration of 1,817 MWh.