POWER July 2022 - 33

DISTRIBUTED ENERGY AWARD
pendent System Operator (CAISO). The
VPP consists of some 70 MW of distributed
resources that bid into the CAISO's
day-ahead and real-time markets.
On Martha's Vineyard, Enel put in a
1. Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority partnered
with Enel X on a microgrid comprised of
eight solar carports that will power 50% of its
bus fleet, a 1.5-MWh battery storage system,
and some JuicePedestal smart electric vehicle
chargers. Courtesy: Enel X
survive, and be able to contribute to the
community for the next 20 plus years
with the program we've rolled out here, "
said Gompert.
Enel X is the advanced energy services
business line of Italian energy giant Enel.
The company in North America manages
about 4.7 GW of demand response, with
more than 70 battery storage projects
in operation and contracted, along with
more than 70,000 smart electric vehicle
(EV) charging stations.
The VTA project is the second POWER
magazine Distributed Energy Award in a
row for Enel X. It won the 2021 award
for its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program
in California. That project mobilizes and
organizes a variety of decentralized,
renewable generation assets not traditionally
operating in the Golden State's
wholesale market, the California Indestate-of-the-art
solar carport with photovoltaic
panels on the roof that charge
the VTA's electric buses, along with a
0.5-MW/1.5-MWh battery storage system,
delivering back-up power with
always-on dependability, especially important
for coastal communities with
higher risk of extreme weather. The project
provides 467 kWAC
of solar power.
A Valuable Partnership
According to Enel, the financing of the
project is based on a 20-year power purchase
agreement, which " locked in 30%
savings for power produced over the next
two decades. Also, using the battery as
a behind-the-meter resource enabled the
VTA to sell energy back to the grid. "
Enel adds, " The public-private partnership
approach minimized financial risks
by splitting funding between multiple
parties, with half of the $4-million project
funded through the partnership between
Enel X and VTA and the other half
funded by the Federal Transit Administration,
the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation, and the Massachusetts
Clean Energy Center. Over its lifetime,
this project is estimated to generate $1
million and serve as a model for other
coastal communities. "
The VTA has plans to expand the flexibility
of its electric fleet. In May 2021,
Edgartown voters overwhelmingly approved
a measure to add fast, wirePOWER
POINTS
Winning Attributes
✔ Electric buses are much quieter
and more environmentally friendly
technology, helping the VTA become
a better community member.
✔ The public-private partnership
minimized financial risks by splitting
funding between multiple parties
and locked in 30% savings for
power produced over the next 20
years.
✔ The solar and electric bus project
effectively created a microgrid-an
energy services network that can
support the community in the event
of an emergency.
less in-ground inductive charging at the
town's Church Street stop. When buses
stop over the chargers, the vehicle synchronizes
with the charging pad, delivering
a partial charge to the bus batteries.
According to the authority's plan, it
says buses run from early morning to late
at night-200 to 300 miles per day. Available
E-buses only run 150 miles per battery
charge in the summer and 75 miles
in the winter. Without on-route charging,
buses must be taken out of service for
regular charging at the bus yard. However,
with on-route charging, buses can
run all day, even in winter. ■
-Kennedy Maize is a veteran energy
journalist and long-time contributor to
POWER magazine.
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