Several Battery Energy Storage Systems at the Randolph Harley Power Plant in St. Thomas. Photo Credit: WAPA
The V.I. Water and Power Authority has updated the public on the Randolph Harley Power Plant New Generation Project that is currently underway. The project involves the installation of four 9 megawatts Wartsila generators and a 9 megawatts battery energy storage system to fortify and create additional redundancy for WAPA's electrical grid.
According to WAPA, the battery energy storage system, a crucial part of the Wartsila project, is currently being integrated into the Randolph Harley Power Plant system to aid in stabilizing the grid and reducing the need for more operationally expensive generators during peak periods. The integration process is a significant step towards optimal performance and reliability.
The Wartsila project started in 2021 and is expected to be a significant contributor to providing more affordable and reliable power generation to the territory, specifically the Randolph Harley Power Plant, which currently provides electrical generation to the island of St. Thomas, Water Island, and St. John.
"The upcoming completion of the Wartsila project will be a significant milestone for our power plant and our community," said Chavante Marsh, director of project management at the authority. "The new Wartsila generators will help us provide a reliable and sustainable source of power for our customers, while also allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint by switching from diesel to propane generation."
The Wartsila generators feature state-of-the-art technology that enables them to operate efficiently, providing notable cost savings and with much less environmental impact than their diesel counterparts, according to WAPA. The Randolph Harley New Generation Project is completely funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Advertisements
