Claimed to be the world’s first of its kind, the renewable energy system is being developed by Leclanché, in partnership with German-American technology company Younicos.
The system is integrated with intelligent battery system featuring ‘island-mode’ capability, which will supply 100% spontaneous renewable power to the island.
Featuring a 2.6MW battery storage system, a 45MW wind park and a 1MW photovoltaic (PV) power plant, the hybrid renewable energy storage project also allows the Portuguese island to replace around two-thirds of its fossil fuel generation with cheap renewable energy.
Younicos CEO Stephen Prince said: "Recharge is helping to create a whole new renewable energy asset class that will drive the implementation of low carbon – and low cost – technologies around the globe.
"Our technology allows us to use as many renewables as is economically optimal. This is not only drastically reducing CO2 emissions, but also lowering energy costs, since we are replacing expensive imported diesel fuel through locally produced renewable energy."
Power generated from the project will be sold to local utility EDA under a power purchase agreement.
Leclanché CEO Anil Srivastava said: "This project marks the first time a megawatt-scale power system is being stabilized using batteries – without the need for thermal generators."
Meanwhile, Younicos is also working with battery provider Leclanché, in which Recharge is an investor, on a project to develop similar solutions in the other Azorean islands and beyond.
Image: The hybrid renewable energy storage project allows the Portuguese island to replace its fossil fuel generation with cheap renewable energy. Photo: courtesy of Younicos.
