Lansing Smith Battery Energy Storage System strengthens energy diversity, supports reliable service and helps keep customer bills as low as possible
JUNO BEACH, Fla. – Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) announced today the commissioning of its Lansing Smith Battery Energy Storage System in Bay County, marking a major milestone in the company's ongoing investments in cost-effective, innovative technologies that increase resiliency of the grid and help deliver reliable electricity while keeping customer bills as low as possible.
Why it matters: The new facility is now FPL's largest battery energy storage system by energy storage capacity. The standalone, grid-connected facility can supply 400 megawatts (MW) of electricity for up to four hours, providing 1,600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of stored energy, enough to power approximately 300,000 homes during a four-hour period.
The battery energy storage project was developed on land that formerly served as a coal storage area. Today, the site plays a new role in supporting Florida's growing energy needs while helping enhance reliability across Northwest Florida.
"The commissioning of the Lansing Smith Battery Energy Storage System represents smart investments in the future of our electric grid," said Tim Oliver, vice president of FPL development. "By incorporating cutting-edge battery storage technology into our diverse energy mix, we're strengthening reliability, increasing resiliency and continuing our commitment to provide reliable service while helping keep bills as low as possible for our customers."
How it works: Battery energy storage systems are an important part of FPL's diverse energy mix. By using lithium-ion batteries, similar to those found in everyday devices like smartphones and laptop computers, electricity is stored when it can be produced at the lowest cost and discharged to the electric grid when customer demand is highest. By combining standalone and hybrid battery energy storage systems, we are increasing the flexibility and resiliency of the energy grid while discharging low cost-energy during periods of high demand. These innovative technologies allow us to maximize the value of nuclear, ultra-efficient natural gas generation and solar resources, operate the grid more efficiently and reliably, and reduce the need for fuel to generate electricity, helping keep costs as low as possible for customers.
Why it matters: By providing additional flexibility to the electric grid, facilities like FPL Lansing Smith Battery Energy Storage System help strengthen reliability, support Florida's growing communities and help keep customer bills as low as possible. The addition of Lansing Smith brings FPL’s total battery energy storage capacity to nearly 2 GW across its system.
"As Florida continues to grow, projects like Lansing Smith Battery Energy Storage System help ensure we're prepared to meet our customers' energy needs today and well into the future," said J.T. Young, vice president and general manager of FPL Northwest Florida. "This facility provides additional flexibility to support a reliable electric grid while helping us continue delivering the value and service our customers depend on every day."
About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is America’s largest electric utility, delivering reliable power to more than 6 million customer accounts — serving approximately 12 million people across Florida. By leveraging a diverse energy mix, including nuclear, natural gas, solar and battery storage, FPL operates one of the most fuel- and cost-efficient power generation fleets in the U.S. and has earned the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Award for seven of the last ten years. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), which is one of the largest electric power and energy infrastructure companies in North America and is a leading provider of electricity to American homes and businesses. NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is advancing America’s energy future with one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of power generation and infrastructure solutions. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
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