NOOR Midelt II & III: ACWA Power Uses GOTION Battery Storage
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ACWA Power Secures Battery Storage for Noor Midelt II & III Plants in Morocco
What Happened?
ACWA Power, a leading Saudi Arabian developer, has contracted Chinese high-tech company GOTION to supply battery energy storage systems (BESS) for the Noor Midelt II and III concentrated solar power (CSP) plants in Morocco. This move aims to enhance the plants’ dispatchability and reliability,allowing them to provide power even when the sun isn’t shining. The project represents a significant step towards integrating renewable energy sources into MoroccoS grid and bolstering its energy independence.
The Noor Midelt Project: A Deeper Dive
The Noor Midelt I, II, and III projects are part of Morocco’s ambitious plan to generate 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The complex utilizes Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology, wich uses mirrors to focus sunlight and generate heat, which then drives turbines to produce electricity. CSP plants, unlike photovoltaic (PV) solar, can incorporate thermal energy storage, allowing for power generation even after sunset. However, adding battery storage further extends this capability and provides faster response times to grid fluctuations.
Noor Midelt I, already operational, uses parabolic trough technology. Noor Midelt II and III, the focus of this new battery storage agreement, will employ a more advanced solar tower technology. This technology offers higher efficiencies and greater potential for thermal storage.The addition of battery storage complements the thermal storage, creating a hybrid system that maximizes the plants’ value to the grid.
Key Project Details
| Plant | Technology | Capacity (MW) | Thermal Storage (Hours) | Battery Storage (Planned – MW/MWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noor Midelt I | Parabolic Trough | 150 | 3 | N/A |
| Noor midelt II | Solar Tower | 200 | 5 | To be resolute (GOTION contract) |
| Noor Midelt III | Solar Tower | 200 | 5 | To be determined (GOTION contract) |
GOTION: The Battery Supplier
GOTION High-Tech, a Chinese company specializing in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, is a rising force in the global energy storage market. They are known for their vertically integrated supply chain,from raw material sourcing to battery pack manufacturing. This allows them to control costs and ensure quality. GOTION’s selection by ACWA Power signals a growing trend of Chinese companies playing a key role in the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure worldwide.
LFP batteries are increasingly favored for grid-scale storage due to their safety, long lifespan, and lower cost compared to other lithium-ion chemistries like NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt). While LFP batteries have a lower energy density, their advantages often outweigh this drawback for stationary storage applications.
Why Battery Storage is Crucial for CSP
While CSP with thermal storage is already a significant betterment over customary solar PV, adding battery storage provides several key benefits:
- Faster Response Times: Batteries can respond to grid frequency changes much faster than thermal storage, helping to stabilize the grid.
- Increased dispatchability: Batteries allow the plants to deliver power on demand, regardless of sunlight availability or thermal