FPL Builds Third New Microgrid This Year
As Florida Power and Light (FPL) builds its third microgrid this year, the FPL Evolution Hub, the company says it is learning more about microgrid technology, which could hold significant benefits for reliability during storms. The company is exploring new, and what it describes as possibly better, designs for solar, energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
The FPL Evolution Hub in Riviera Beach, Florida, is being built with a 5-MW microgrid, charged by a PV solar array with a 7.5 MW/15 MWh stationary battery backup. It also has two mobile EV trailers — each containing a 650 kW/1.3 MWh battery paired with six EV chargers.
FPL already operates 42 large-scale solar energy centers in the state and uses two types of panels: fixed or tracking. Fixed panels typically face southwest or southeast, while panels on tracking systems follow the sun from east to west.
With the 5-MW solar array on-site at Riviera Beach, FPL staff can test the benefits of a new design with fixed panels facing east and west. This design could pave the way for similar installations in the future.
FPL’s Evolution Hub is also home to two separate energy storage systems: A 7.5 MW/15 MWh stationary battery and two mobile EV trailers each containing a 650 kW/1.3 MWh battery. Both energy storage applications will be charged from the 5-MW solar array and will provide further insight into integrating solar and energy storage.
