At RE+, North America’s largest clean energy event, we were proud to engage in conversations shaping the future of renewable energy. Now in its 20th year, the conference brought together industry experts to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and explore solutions for a sustainable future. Among these sessions, our own Mike Wietecki, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at Powin, led a panel titled “Powering the Future: West Virginia’s Groundbreaking Solar and Storage Microgrid for Sustainable Manufacturing.”
If you missed Mike’s presentation, here are the key takeaways:
Microgrids Are Key to Energy Independence
Microgrids play a vital role in achieving energy resilience and independence, as they allow localized energy systems to operate both independently of and in conjunction with the main power grid. This dual capability offers critical advantages for industries that require uninterrupted power, like TIMET’s planned titanium manufacturing facility in West Virginia.
The Ravenswood project, which is set to begin construction in 2025, will integrate solar energy and Powin’s Centipede™ Stack800 battery energy storage system to provide long-duration energy solutions. This innovative approach will eventually allow the facility to operate 100% off-grid, ensuring reliability while supporting the U.S. clean energy transition.
Meeting Long-Duration Energy Needs with Lithium-Ion Storage
Powin’s advanced energy storage systems, utilizing lithium-ion batteries, are engineered for long-duration applications, capable of delivering reliable power for 10 to 12 hours. By optimizing the system size, we’ve expanded beyond the typical two- to six-hour range, ensuring critical facilities like Ravenswood can sustain operations during extended grid outages once fully operational.
Our scalable, dependable energy storage solutions are transforming industries with high energy demands, driving operational efficiency while supporting global decarbonization efforts.
Domestic Content Compliance Bolsters U.S. Economic Growth
The Ravenswood microgrid, once completed, will be one of the first projects to fully comply with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), using U.S.-manufactured battery cells, modules, and enclosures. In collaboration with independent consulting firms, Powin is developing a standardized process to verify domestic content compliance.
This not only supports U.S. manufacturing jobs but also strengthens our leadership in reshoring energy infrastructure development, contributing to economic revitalization in areas like West Virginia.
Strategic Partnerships Accelerate Project Success
The success of the Ravenswood microgrid is a testament to the power of strategic partnerships. Collaborations between Powin, BHE Renewables, and Precision Castparts Corp. have been crucial in advancing this project. These partnerships enable us to combine our cutting-edge battery storage technology with the expertise needed to develop and eventually operate one of the world’s largest solar and storage microgrids.
By leveraging the strengths of these partners, we’re accelerating the development of this groundbreaking project, helping meet domestic content standards and the future energy needs of large-scale industrial operations.
Setting a New Standard for Industrial Microgrids
Once completed, the Ravenswood project will serve as a model for future industrial microgrids. By combining renewable energy with advanced battery storage, we’re setting a new benchmark for sustainable manufacturing. The 50 MW Centipede™ Stack800 system, paired with a 106 MW solar array, will eventually generate and store 100% of the power required by the titanium manufacturing facility, demonstrating the viability of clean energy for heavy industry.
This groundbreaking project is part of a national push to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing energy independence. It will provide a template for clean energy adoption across industries with similar energy demands.
Collaboration and Innovation at RE+
RE+ was an invaluable opportunity for us to share our insights and learn from other leaders in the renewable energy space. As a company committed to driving innovation, we’re excited to continue working with industry partners to push the boundaries of what’s possible in renewable energy. The insights gained at the conference will help refine our strategies as we move toward a more sustainable, resilient energy future.
Together, we are powering the future of clean energy, driving progress toward a more reliable and resilient grid.
If you missed RE+ and want to connect, feel free to reach out here: https://powin.com/contact/. For the latest updates and news please visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.
