FPL Announces Energy Storage Pilot Project

In conjunction with the recent White House summit on scaling renewable energy and storage with smart markets, Florida Power and Light Company recently announced a new "innovative" energy storage pilot project. The new pilot project will see the testing of multiple applications of various "advanced" battery technologies under real-life conditions. The project’s aim is to work on the strengthening of electric grid resiliency.

Project findings may be used to improve (and increase) the integration of renewable energy projects in the future. FPL has been investing more and more into solar energy in recent years, and this trend is likely to continue.

A key part of FPL's plan includes repurposing used "second-life" batteries from more than 200 BMW electric vehicles to test "peak shaving" for better grid management during periods of high demand via a storage system, to be installed in a densely populated residential area in southwestern Miami.

Construction on the project is expected to begin this summer. Most components are expected to be operational by the end of the year. FPL runs a NAFA-sustainable-accredited fleet. FPL's Fleet Fueling Operations Supervisor Patti M. Earley, CAFM^®, is presently NAFA's Treasurer; and NAFA Past President Claude Masters, CAFM^®, is recently retired from the utility company.