The renewables division of the energy company RWE is jointly building a large solar farm in Texas. East of Austin, the installers are putting up modules with a total output of 200 megawatts. In addition, they are combining the solar park, which goes under the name Big Star, with a battery storage system.
This can temporarily store 120 megawatt hours of electricity from the solar park and feed it into the grid with an output of 80 megawatts when the consumers of the solar energy need it. This is because the American energy company Constellation has taken over the marketing. The service provider sells the energy from the plant near Austin to large customers through long-term electricity supply contracts.
Companies with climate protection goals
In addition to Pepsi Cola, these include the spice manufacturer McCormick & Company, the consumer electronics retailer Best Buy and the media company Viacom CBS. "This deal shows what is possible when clients work together to protect the climate and reduce their respective carbon footprints," said Jim McHugh, Constellation's CEO. "We are proud to offer clean energy solutions to our customers. Renewable energy helps them achieve their environmental goals," he emphasises. "The location of our Big Star photovoltaic plant in Texas is ideal for providing Constellation and its customers with green power for their business activities," adds Silvia Ortín, General Manager Wind Onshore and PV at RWE Renewables.
USA becomes key market for RWE
The energy company is thus further expanding its position in the American green power market. After all, more than a third of the company's renewable energy generation capacities are located in the USA. The energy giant already operates a number of high-performance wind, photovoltaic and storage plants there. It is currently developing a floating offshore wind farm off the coast of Maine together with partners with the New England Aqua Ventus. The state thus plays a key role in RWE's strategy and the group's goal of expanding its renewables business. (mfo)
See also: PPAs for battery storage emerging
