Colorado-based Able Grid Energy Solutions Inc. wants to turn an RV storage facility into an energy storage plant — and it's seeking a $95 million industrial revenue bond to help make that happen.
The joint venture, founded in 2017, develops battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities. BESS's allow energy from the electrical grid or renewable sources to be stored so it can be used when needed. Able Grid's website states that its battery systems require no water to operate and that batteries allow for more solar and wind generators to be built.
A representative for the company was unable to be reached for comment, but Albuquerque Development Commission filings made available March 17 spell out its plans.
According to ADC documents, Able Grid will purchase a 6.1-acre site in the Blue Sky Business Park just west of the Reeves power plant and a substation that would be interconnected to the project.
The ADC recommended approval of the project to the Albuquerque City Council. A representative for the ADC was unable to be reached for immediate comment on Tuesday.
Costs for the first and second phases of the "Sandia Peak Grid" are estimated to reach $75 million, and about 60 to 100 positions will be created during construction and commissioning. The project will also "likely result in 2 full time operators," according to ADC documents.
"Sandia Peak Grid is the first stand-alone BESS to be located in NM, but there will be numerous additional stand-alone BESS as PNM works towards their goal of 100% carbon free electricity by 2040," according to the documents. "Sandia Peak Grid will mark the beginning of a build-out of numerous technologically advanced energy storage systems as PNM transitions to a clean energy grid."
According to a March 22 email from PNM spokeswoman Kelly-Renae Huber, "there is no affiliation relationship between PNM and Able Grid Energy, and the Sandia Peak Energy Storage facility is solely a developer-owned project."
"The Sandia Peak Energy Storage project was selected as part of the lowest reasonable cost portfolio through a competitive procurement process with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The resulting agreement for PNM to use the energy storage system owned by Able Grid Energy was approved by the Commission," Huber's email stated.
Able Grid is part of Eolian LP. According to the ADC, Able Grid has projects in 22 states with a "development pipeline" of more than 10,000 megawatts.
Other locations for Able Grid projects that are either completed or under construction include: Camarillo, California, and Fort Worth and Mission, Texas. Locally, the company is also in "active development of a 200 MW stand-alone BESS on a parcel of land being acquired west of the UNM golf course," according to the ADC documents.
