Firming Wind in an Environmentally-Challenging, Transmission-Constrained System
The energy challenges facing Alaska are unique. Extreme weather, large seasonal loads, limited grid resources, fuel shortages, and complex supply chains impact or outright eliminate many current and promising future solutions. In order to reliably and economically meet the energy needs of interior Alaska, Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA), with partial funding from the U.S. DOE's OCED, is pursuing a novel strategy of deploying GWh-scale Pumped-Thermal (PTES) and Battery (BESS) energy storage systems as balancing resources to allow a higher penetration of non-dispatchable energy sources such as wind and solar.
This session will present a case study of this unique scenario. Attendees will explore how pumped thermal energy storage systems, in conjunction with battery energy storage systems can enhance grid stability, reduce costs, and provides a viable solution for integrating renewable energy into a fragile grid, offering a blueprint for future transitions in similar environments.