Gemini, the largest solar-plus-storage project in the US, is now online in Clark County, Nevada. Developed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners and Primergy Solar, Gemini pairs 690MWac/966MWdc of solar PV with a 380MW/1,400MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), marking a significant milestone in renewable energy.
The project, costing $1.9 billion and financed in 2022, includes a 49% stake sold to Dutch pension fund manager APG. Lithium-ion battery manufacturer CATL supplied the BESS technology, while system integrator IHI Terrasun executed the project assembly.
David Scaysbrook, co-founder and managing partner of Quinbrook, emphasized Gemini's impact on job creation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Primergy highlighted its innovative ecosystem management, including preserving vegetation and reducing the land footprint by 20%.
Gemini is notable for its DC-coupled architecture, allowing direct solar energy charging into the BESS, enhancing efficiency. This differs from the Edwards & Sanborn project in California, which uses AC coupling, enabling independent solar and BESS grid discharges.
The completion of Gemini sets a new standard in the US renewable energy sector, demonstrating the potential for large-scale solar-plus-storage projects.
Source: energy-storage.news