Promises More Efficient use of Existing and Enables Renewable Power Sources
CANCUN, Mexico, Tuesday, December 21st 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mexico President Calderon, announced at COP16/CMP6, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, his intention to support a project by RUBENIUS, a Dubai-based alternative energy and smart grid enabler, to provide energy storage to enable use of renewable energy and manage the power grid more efficiently.
The President met with Claus Rubenius, chairman of RUBENIUS, at COP16/CMP6. The two had an in-depth discussion of renewable storage, including a 1,000 MW energy storage warehouse, the first in North America. The discussion was followed by a press conference:
The President said, “Why is it important for an energy storage solution for renewable energy? Because the big problem with renewable energy is that it is intermittent, a wind generator for example, only generates electricity when there is wind, and when there is no wind, a client, a house, a business, a factory cannot depend on these sources of power constantly. Renewable energy needs a backup for the moment the wind stops blowing or when the sun ceases to shine, and the current backup systems complicate and increase the price of the renewable installation.”
RUBENIUS, together with Japanese products, has developed an innovative technology to utilize massive NaS batteries, which are to be installed on a strategic site in Mexicali, known as the Silicon Border of Mexico, which will be able to store energy generated there, including renewable energy.
“There are many renewables in northern Mexico including solar in Sonora and wind in Baja, but this can only be triggered if they have an energy storage facility such as the one announced by RUBENIUS to be installed in our country,” stated Calderon.
This will generate a real change in the electricity markets in both Mexico and California in the U.S., which, especially California, are highly focused markets for renewable energy.
These facilities will also contribute to increasing efficiency and optimization of the grid in both countries.
In addition to the world’s first energy warehouse, Rubenius also announced his intentions to pursue energy storage manufacturing operations. The new factory will also be based in Silicon Border, Baja California, creating an additional 1,000 green jobs there.
In addition to energy storage, RUBENIUS will also offer its products and expertise for off-grid communities. Nearly 3.5 billion people do not have access to a reliable electrical grid and clean water. Mexico will initiate several beta sites where off-grid communities are provided with either solar or wind power, power storage and water treatment at rates near what people on the grid are paying in the long run. RUBENIUS has solutions now; President Calderon expressed interest in trying this technology in one or two communities.
“Our experience in the UAE and our smart grid expertise has given us the confidence to enter into the North American market with a 1 GW energy storage project in Silicon Border’s science park in Mexicali, Baja California,” said Rubenius. “The Mexican operation will house the storage devices, and we will have offices in San Diego, California for research and development. The locations enable us to address both Mexico and the U.S.” The storage warehouse will require an investment of more than $4 billion, over the next 5 to 7 years.
The earlier discussions also included trade of energy across the border of Baja California and California. The Baja Grid has been connected to the U.S. grid for many years. Both countries have announced efforts to work together to increase the use of renewables. In this discussion the President offered support to make the use of the energy warehouse including by Mainland Mexico and California.
In his final remarks at the press conference the President said: “There have been many announcements here at COP-16 by other large companies, but this announcement by RUBENIUS is undoubtedly very remarkable: $4 billion, which will generate, as its chairman just said, hundreds of jobs for Mexicans and above all will make our country a technological benchmark in energy storage in the world, which is big, big news.
“I want to reiterate to investors that the Mexican government will continue working hard to improve and to generate economic and social conditions that allow the success of this investment. We still have much to do in terms of adapting this project, both for the Mexican network and for the needs of the business plan I have been presented, but for now thank you for thinking of Mexico and for your trust in Mexico to make this investment so important that I'm sure it will be a success.”
About RUBENIUS
RUBENIUS was founded to be a world leader in utility service including energy warehousing. The company helps communities, utilities and energy producers intelligently monitor and control their resources, with the goal of achieving less carbon in the process. RUBENIUS also will provide reliable services at the lowest possible cost. Currently the company and its affiliates have contracted more than $2 billion of utility management solutions, is privately held and has more than 1,900 employees. More information can be found at www.rubenius.com.
About Silicon Border
Silicon Border is a 4,000-hectare “science park” catering to the renewable energy sector including wind, solar, algae harvesting and smart grid companies looking for factory sites and energy generation sites for the North American Market. To date $48 million has been invested in the project. It is located at the cross roads of the power grids of the United States and Mexico. Its location enables companies here to be cost-competitive with Asia. More information can be found at www.siliconborder.com.
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