AES Andes adds a new storage facility to its portfolio and strengthens its technological leadership in the region.

December 5, 2023

In a new step towards the renewable transformation of its portfolio, AES Andes announced the entry into commercial operation of the second phase of the Virtual Reservoir, an energy storage system for run-of-river power plants located in a strategic area of the country.

The new BESS system will allow the storage of up to 197 MWh of renewable energy produced by the Alfalfal I Hydroelectric Power Plant, which is part of the AES Andes Cordillera Complex in the Metropolitan Region, for injection during peak demand periods. Virtual Reservoir II is fitted with Fluence's Gridstack technology.

Thanks to this milestone, the company now has 223 MW of storage capacity in operation, consolidating its leadership in this type of innovative solution in the country.

Last July, AES Andes inaugurated Andes Solar IIb, the largest system of its kind in Latin America, with a storage capacity of 112 MW for up to 5 hours.

Virtual Reservoir II complements the first stage of this technological innovation, also located in Alfalfal, which won first place in the Electric Companies category of the Avonni Awards in 2020.

“The commissioning of Virtual Reservoir II not only confirms the AES Andes’ leadership  in energy innovation and as a global benchmark in the operation of battery storage systems, but also represents a new impetus to advance in the development of new renewable assets and accelerate the future of energy,” said the company’s CEO, Javier Dib.

The executive added that “with this new asset that we put at the service of the National Electric System and in the largest consumption center of the country, we reaffirm the commitment of AES Andes as a long-term investor in Chile and in the successful process of decarbonization that is being carried out. With initiatives such as Virtual Reservoir, we can make this process even more viable in a safe and reliable manner.”

The Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, stated that “for the government led by President Gabriel Boric, the promotion of storage systems is a priority. And, indeed, this is evident in our agenda for the second half of the year. The coming into commercial operation of Virtual Reservoir II is great news, not only because it is a battery station for a run-of-river power plant, but also because it combines new storage technologies, which is key for the energy transition.”

AES Andes' energy storage systems play a critical role in the decarbonization of the energy matrix, enabling a significant increase in the integration of renewable energy by storing excess energy during peak generation and discharge periods, while improving grid stability by providing an immediate source of energy when demand exceeds supply or when renewable energy generation fluctuates, displacing the use of fossil fuels.

The company continues to develop and build these types of solutions in Chile, with more than 1,000 MW in its project portfolio for the coming years.

 

About AES Andes

AES Andes generates and sells energy in Chile, Colombia and Argentina. The Company operates 5,685 MW in South America together with a broad portfolio of renewable energy projects under development. The Company is one of the region's leading generators, with a diversified portfolio that includes hydroelectric, wind, solar, energy storage, biomass, natural gas and coal plants.

In Chile, AES Andes and its affiliates own and operate 3,913 MW, made up of 2,129 MW from thermal power, 771 MW from hydroelectric, 348 MW from wind, 429 MW from solar photovoltaic, 13 MW from biomass sources, and 223 MW of energy storage batteries, in addition to seawater desalination plants, and transmission lines.