新墨西哥州的太阳能发电厂目前成为了美国第一个全部接入公共电网的太阳能发电厂，由于1280个先进铅酸电池加入的缘故，Albuquerque, NM-based PNM可以将这个太阳能发电厂像其他发电厂一样对待。新墨西哥的公共事业单位PNM已经将这个发电厂全部接入公共电网，储能电站能够提供500kW的能量。
结合2158块太阳能电池板，1280个先进铅酸电池，智能电网技术与计量和监测技术，太阳能电厂为PNM的消费者提供电能，并提供了一个巨大的研究机会。
这个项目起源于2008年，当时PNM以及电力科学研究院启动了一项计划用来展示PNM配电系统中的智能电网技术。但是当DOE宣布，美国ARRA法案将为智能电网储能示范项目提供资助时，PNM和EPRI马上修改了计划并成功提交了一项提案给DOE，获得了资助。这是ARRA提供部分激励资金支持的16个智能电网计划中第一个完成的项目。
A New Mexico solar farm has become the first in the nation to be fully integrated into a utility's grid. Albuquerque, NM-based PNM is able to treat the solar farm almost like any other power plant, thanks to 1,280 advanced lead-acid batteries.
Utilities with the job of integrating large amounts of wind and solar will want to keep a close eye on the project. Funded in part by ARRA monies and built in partnership with EPRI, the project's goal is to identify, test and demonstrate multiple benefit streams from energy storage. Now that it is fully up and running, PNM and EPRI plan to spend the next two years collecting data and sharing it with the industry.
New Mexico utility PNM has fired up the country's first solar storage facility that is fully integrated into a utility electric grid. PNM's Prosperity Storage Project located near Albuquerque can provide 500 kilowatts of power.
Incorporating 2,158 solar panels, 1,280 advanced lead-acid batteries, smart grid technologies and metering and monitoring technology, the plant provides power for PNM customers and a tremendous research opportunity.
"Our goal is to identify, test and demonstrate the numerous benefits derived from this storage system,' said Steve Willard, a PNM engineer and project manager. "While construction of the project is completed, our research has just begun. During the next two years, we'll constantly collect data and share our findings with the industry worldwide to help advance energy storage technology."
When cloud cover prevents sunlight from researching the panels in the solar array, the storage system kicks in to provide power to even out the supply. It also can store solar energy when there is little demand and deliver it back to the grid when demand is high.
The originated in 2008 when PNM and the Electric Power Research Institute started planning a project to demonstrate smart grid technology in PNM's distribution system. But when DOE announced American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money would be used to support its Smart Grid Storage Demonstration Program, PNM and EPRI switched gears and submitted their successful grant proposal to DOE. It is the first of 16 smart grid projects partially supported by stimulus money to be completely operational.
Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com. He consults to smart grid companies seeking market entry advice and M&A advisory. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the US and abroad, he also serves on the Advisory Council of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy & Environment directorate.