350 Batteries Installed... 100 MW Scale
Expansion Plans in the U.S.... Full-Scale Entry into Power Business
SK Gas and SK Eteronics have officially begun market expansion by starting commercial operations of their first energy storage system (ESS) project in the United States.
On the 17th, SK Gas and SK Eteronics announced that the first project of their joint venture for ESS business investment, SA Grid Solutions (SA), has entered commercial operation. SA is a joint venture established with the U.S. renewable energy company Apex Clean Energy (Apex). This project is a 100 MW facility located in the southern region of Texas, equipped with a total of 34 inverters and 340 batteries. This achievement came about one year after the decision to establish the joint venture in January of last year.
A view of the energy storage system (ESS) project installed in Texas, USA, through a joint venture between SK Gas, SK Eteonics, and the American renewable energy company Apex Clean Energy. Photo by SK Gas
SA plans to generate revenue through "real-time electricity trading," which involves purchasing electricity when prices are low and storing it in the ESS to sell when prices are high, as well as by providing "ancillary services" necessary for grid stabilization. SK Gas stated that high profits are expected because Texas is the fastest-growing region in terms of electricity consumption in the United States.
GridFlex, the U.S.-based corporation established by SK Gas and SK Eteronics, intends to continue collaborating with Apex on other ESS projects in the U.S. following this project. The two companies announced plans to expand their ESS business to approximately 900 MW by 2029. Additionally, in the long term, they aim to quickly leverage their accumulated ESS operation and electricity trading capabilities to secure a leading position in the domestic market once the domestic electricity trading market opens.
Yoon Byung-seok, CEO of SK Gas, said, "The ESS business, which can complement the intermittency of renewable energy, will continue to grow alongside the global energy transition trend. The commercial operation of this first project signals our official entry into the North American ESS business and electricity trading market." He added, "SK Gas will continue to explore opportunities in eco-friendly energy businesses such as ESS and hydrogen for sustainable growth."
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