Xtreme Power, Xcel Energy to roll out 1 MW demo facility in Colorado

(ADPnews) - Dec 31, 2010 - US energy storage solutions developer Xtreme Power and utility Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) on Wednesday said they would jointly install a 1 MW demo "solar-to-battery" distribution system in Colorado.

The Dynamic Power Resource (DPR) system will be used to gather operational data on the integration of energy storage and solar energy systems in a bid to show the results of integrating storage systems with solar installations, to improve the efficiency of clean power incorporation onto the power grid, the partners said in a joint statement.

The DPR will be installed at the Solar Technology Acceleration Centre (SolarTAC), a private facility used as a test bed to prove and demonstrate different solar technologies.

The system would start operation by the end of the current year, the partners said, adding that they would publicly announce the results from the system's performance for a three-year period.

DPR will perform energy storage and grid asset functions, including output smoothing, time shifting and forecast error mitigation for solar energy generated at the site.

Frank Novachek, Xcel Energy director for business planning said he expects the project to underscore for utilities and other electricity providers that viable energy storage systems can become a commercial reality.

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