First Wind has announced that construction of its 21 MW Kaheawa Wind II project has been completed and commercial operations have begun. Located above Ma'alaea harbor in West Maui, Hawaii, the project features a battery energy-storage system to assist in meeting performance standards and smoothing fluctuations in wind energy output, according to the company.
Last year, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved a power purchase agreement between Kaheawa Wind II and Maui Electric Co. (MECO) for Kaheawa Wind II to sell as-available renewable energy to the utility over a 20-year term.
The wind project's dynamic power resource battery system was developed by Austin-based Xtreme Power. The system will maximize wind energy efficiency and helps MECO maintain reliable service for its customers, according to Xtreme Power.
"This will be our most advanced system deployed to-date, with the Xtreme Power power control system simultaneously providing multiple renewable integration and grid-support services such as ramp control, frequency response, voltage support and responsive reserves," says Alan Gotcher, CEO of Xtreme Power.
RMT, which began construction on Kaheawa Wind II in 2011, oversaw all civil and electrical infrastructure, including a 34.5/69 kV substation, a 34.5 kV electrical collection system and interconnection to the 69 kV MECO transmission line.
