EDF Renewable Energy's first commercial storage project in McHenry County Illinois.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) announced today that the McHenry Storage Project, EDF Groups first battery storage project in North America, reached commercial operation on December 20, 2015. The energy storage system, located in McHenry County, Illinois, added 40 megawatts (MW) of flexible capacity (20 MW nameplate) to the PJM Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) and will participate in both the regulation and capacity markets.

The success of the project was due to EDF Renewable Energys broad experience in renewables and the expertise of EDF Store and Forecast, who provided the command and control to optimize the triumvirate between cost, longevity and performance of the battery system. EDF Store and Forecast will continue to monitor the facility.

An EDF Company, recently spun out of EDF Research and Development, EDF Store and Forecast has developed control software that utilizes advanced forecasting tools to precisely predict solar and wind production either in concert or stand alone with energy storage. This technology allows rapid management of state of charge of the system to meet system critical applications for energy storage. EDF S&F adds value to this space and leverages over 800 MWh of batteries installed worldwide across a range of applications from long duration storage to frequency response. This combination of EDF companies brings the much needed strength and experience to the market as utilities are exploring the potential for energy storage.

"EDF Renewable Energy is pleased to have reached commercial operation of our first battery energy storage system in the US, building upon the EDF Groups substantial experience with grid-connected batteries across multiple markets," commented Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President of EDF Renewable Energy. "Through the provision of fast-response frequency regulation services, battery-based energy storage can facilitate the cost-effective integration of intermittent, renewable energy resources into the grid, and is therefore highly complementary to our core renewable generation business."

The EDF RE currently has over 100 MW of storage projects under development across North America and intends to continue to leverage its experience to add value to this space.

EDF Renewable Energy acquired 100% interest in the project late in the first quarter of 2015 from Chicago-based GlidePath Power; construction commenced in June 2015. The system is interconnected at the distribution level into Commonwealth Edison Company (ComED). The battery and power electronics were supplied by BYD America, consisting of 11 containerized units totaling 20 MW (22MVA) and is performing at expectation.

EDF Renewable Energy is one of the largest renewable energy developers in North America with 7.8 gigawatts of wind, solar, biomass, and biogas projects developed throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

About EDF Renewable Energy:

EDF Renewable Energy is a leading U.S. independent power producer with more than 25 years of expertise in the ren EDF Renewable Energy is a leading US independent power producer with more than 25 years of expertise in the renewable industry, covering all range of services from project origination, development, sales and marketing, to long-term asset management. EDF Renewable Energy specializes in wind and solar photovoltaic with presence in other segments of the renewable energy market: storage, biogas, biomass, hydro, and marine energy. EDF Renewable Energys North American portfolio consists of 7.8 gigawatts of developed projects with 4.1 gigawatts of installed capacity throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. The operations and maintenance subsidiary, EDF Renewable Services, operates over 10.7 GW throughout North America. EDF Renewable Energy is a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles. EDF Energies Nouvelles is the renewable energy arm of the EDF group, the leading electricity company in the world. For more information visit: www.edf-re.com

About EDF Store & Forecast:

EDF Store & Forecast was created to enhance intellectual property developed within EDF R&D in the field of management of renewable energies associated with storage. After winning EDF Pulse prize for the innovation of its solution, the founding team of three researchers became detached from EDF R&D. EDF Store & Forecast develops and markets software solutions to forecast, plan and optimize real-time control for renewable energy and energy storage. www.edf-sf.com

About GlidePath Power:

GlidePath Power is a greenfield development team that has the depth of experience and understanding spanning the breadth of skills required to develop financeable power projects, regardless of the technology. In less than two years, GlidePath Power has demonstrated its ability to develop, contract, and commercialize three battery storage projects, totalling 60MW, or roughly 40% of PJMs installed capacity of battery storage projects. GlidePath Power continues to develop advanced energy solutions across the US, including 280MW of additional PJM battery storage projects. For more information visit: www.glidepath.net