FlexGen, Kansas Power Pool partner on energy storage project

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 1, 2021

Energy storage company FlexGen on Jan. 27 announced that it is partnering with the Kansas Power Pool (KPP) to design, build and operate the Solomon Energy Storage Center in Minneapolis, Kansas.

When commissioned at the end of the year, the Solomon Energy Storage Center will deliver a total of 1 MW of power.

The FlexGen battery system also includes a “black start” capability if the grid goes offline. “Black start” is often compared to jumpstarting a car, where the FlexGen battery system provides the power needed to jumpstart backup generators that put more power onto the grid, FlexGen noted.

“The Solomon Energy Storage Center is another example of KPP delivering on its mission to provide cost-effective and reliable public power and services for our community of members,” said Mark Chesney, KPP’s CEO and General Manager, in a statement. “We are pleased to work with FlexGen on this important project that will add resiliency and reduce costs.”

Kelson Energy is providing project development, market analytics and implementation support to KPP on the project.

Sized at 5.1 MWh, the Solomon Energy Storage Center will be the largest battery project in Kansas, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance data.

The battery system operates on FlexGen’s energy management software platform, FlexGen HybridOS, which FlexGen said enables the seamless export of power onto the grid when it is most needed — during times of peak demand or when weather disrupts the grid. During off-peak times the battery storage systems will charge when power prices are lower.

KPP is a member-driven public power organization which procures energy and transmission service for community-owned electric utilities across Kansas.   

The American Public Power Association has developed a Public Power Energy Storage Tracker that is a resource for association members that summarizes energy storage projects undertaken by members that are currently online.