ROUNDUP: Powin targeting Brazil, New Mexico utility increasing storage plans, Prevalon’s new EMS

Brazil is set to launch its first capacity reserve auction (LRCAP) dedicated exclusively to energy storage later this year.

Powin and UCB’s partnership would be focused on addressing a growing demand in the country for utility-scale energy storage projects of 30MW or greater.

The country is the largest solar PV market in South America, with over 47GW of capacity installed – as of August 2024 – according to solar trade body Absolar, Brazil lags behind Chile when it comes to energy storage.

In September 2024, The Brazilian Minister of Energy and Mining unveiled an auction for battery energy storage projects to be held in 2025.

UCB has a strong presence in Brazil, with a gigafactory in Manaus and a claim to have delivered over 65,000 remote off-grid systems.

Powin is regularly ranked as one of the biggest battery energy storage system (BESS) integrators in the US and the world.

The firm established a strong presence in the US before expanding into Australia with what was at the time one of the largest BESS projects in the world to enter construction in 2022, followed by a push into Europe with its first orders in the UK and Portugal last year. The firm also launched a new 5MWh BESS product, moving in line with the rest of the industry on energy density.

Earlier this year, Powin’s chief technology officer Himanshu Khurana spoke with Energy-Storage.news on the firm’s recent major projects and internationalisation, as well as wider industry challenges around deployment, bankability and policy frameworks (Premium access article).

Khurana spoke on the importance of operational excellence in 2025 and beyond, stating:

“Delivering gigawatt-hour-scale projects requires skilled teams and streamlined processes. Companies must focus on meeting deadlines, achieving performance expectations, and maintaining efficiency in execution.

Powin expands partnership with TÜV Rheinland

Powin is also expanding its relationship with testing, inspection and certification company TÜV Rheinland.

TÜV Rheinland will provide technical R&D support, product safety certification and compliance validation for Powin’s energy storage systems.

TÜV Rheinland provides multiple certifications, including UL9540A, UL1973, IEC62619 and NFPA 68/69.

In 2023, fire alarms sounded on two of four battery storage systems deployed in Warwick (Premium access article), a town in New York’s Orange County, by Convergent Energy and Power, which purchased the systems from Powin.

At the time, Convergent said: “Convergent, which purchased these systems from Powin, does not have this model deployed anywhere else and was among the first customers to receive the system from Powin. The Powin Centipedes are the only systems that are currently experiencing problems at Convergent’s Warwick, NY projects.”

Public Service Company of New Mexico files stipulation to 2028 resource application

Investor-owned utility (IOU) Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TXNM Energy, filed an unopposed comprehensive stipulation with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) as part of its 2028 resource application. It is looking to increase solar and storage capacity in addition to what has already been given the green light.

In 2024, NMPRC approved an application from PNM to add 309.5MW of energy storage to its portfolio by summer 2026 (Premium access article). The application included energy storage agreements (ESAs) relating to three different projects totalling 249.5MW of battery capacity, a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CCN) for the construction of a 60MW utility-owned BESS and a power purchase agreement (PPA) covering solar capacity.

The recently filed stipulation supports approval of PNM’s proposed resource portfolio, adding a further 450MW of new solar and battery storage capacity in 2028.

The additions include:

• Extension of a Valencia PPA for 167MW through 2039 (current agreement expires in 2028).
• Addition of 300MW capacity through ESAs for two, 150MW battery stand-alone storage facilities.
• The addition of a 150MW solar and battery storage facility (100MW solar, 50MW battery storage) is to be owned and operated by PNM, which includes the proposed option to increase the battery storage by an additional 20MW.

TXNM says that the proposed portfolio reflects US$252 million of capital investment from PNM in 2026 through 2028.

A November 2024 filing summarises the requested approvals for the Valencia Power Plant PPA, Sun Lasso ESA, Corazon ESA and Sunbelt Project.

• Valencia Power Plant PPA – “The Valencia Power Plant PPA is between PNM, as buyer, and Valencia Power LLC, as seller, for 167 MW of natural gas-fired generation at a rate of US$9.20/kW/month, a variable operations and maintenance change of US$5.00/MWh, and a start charge of US$8,000 per start. This facility is already constructed and operating.”
• Sun Lasso ESA – “For the capacity of 150MWac 4-hour battery storage at a rate of US$14.55/MWh over a twenty-year term. This project is located in Bernalillo County with an expected COD of January 15, 2028.”
• Corazon ESA – “For the capacity 150MWac 4-hour energy storage at a rate of US$15.40/MWh over a twenty-year term. This project is located in Bernalillo County with an expected COD of December 31, 2027.”
• Sunbelt Project – “For 100MW of solar generation facilities coupled with a 30 MWac 4-hour energy storage system located in the Consolidated School District. The overall estimated capital cost for this project is US$220.4 million, with an expected COD in May 1, 2028. The option to increase the 30MWac 4-hour energy storage system to 50MW increases the capital cost to US$252 million.”

The stipulation is subject to NMPRC approval. Hearings on the filing are scheduled to begin on 2 April, 2025.

Prevalon unveils new ‘US-made’ energy management system (EMS)

Prevalon Energy, a dedicated BESS spin-out from Mitsubishi Power Americas has announced its energy management system (EMS) ‘insightOS’.

Prevalon’s announcement comes at a time of growing concern over cybersecurity threats and ever-increasing calls for US-made BESS materials and software.

InsightOS will be integrated with Prevalon’s HD5 modular AC battery system. This includes its HD5 Data Centre — Prevalon’s data centre-specific system and HD5 Microgrid  — its community-specific system.

The firm claims it is certified to the ‘top-tier’ IEC 62443-5-1 Level Two cybersecurity standard, and UL 1973, UL 9540, and NFPA 855-2023 safety certifications.

In January, Prevalon secured a contract with IOU Idaho Power for a 200MW/800MWh BESS.

The contract for the project includes a comprehensive long-term service agreement encompassing maintenance and remote monitoring for the system.