Wartsila commissions 6 MW/6 MWh energy storage system on Caribbean island

Finnish technology group Wartsila Corp (HEL:WRT1V) has put on stream a 6 MW/6 MWh energy storage system on the Caribbean island of Bonaire for a local unit of power distributor ContourGlobal Plc (LON:GLO).

The commissioning of the facility will allow the island to accommodate more renewables and respond to peak demand during the tourist season, Wartsila said on Thursday. It will also unlock curtailed wind energy and provide frequency and voltage control services.

Wartsila was selected as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project in January. In addition to supplying and installing the batteries, the company delivered the GEMS energy management software developed by its Greensmith Energy subsidiary. This software will balance Bonaire’s resources and enhance the operation of its power production and energy storage assets, Wartsila said.

The energy storage project is the first phase of а longer-term plan to modernise the island’s power network and add more renewables. The next step will involve the replacement of outdated thermal technology and the integration of more wind and solar.

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