The partnership delivers customers access to Pexapark’s suite of analytical tools and services through the Fluence IQ digital ecosystem, including market intelligence about renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) and energy portfolio risk management optimization solutions, reported EnergyStorage.

Combining with Fluence’s fleet of 3.6 GW of battery-based energy storage solutions will accelerate the Pexapark incorporation of energy storage analytics into its software products. The company also noted that it has supported more than 20 GW of renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) transactions.

We are all aware that software is becoming a key differentiator for energy storage technology companies. According to most companies, data-driven market intelligence is a must-have for electricity market participants.

In fact, software platforms can connect energy assets to energy markets through enabling optimization and real-time bidding. This move can actually help drive digitization in the market.

Syed Madaeni, AMS’ CEO-turned-Fluence chief digital officer, noted that acquisition will help increase return on investment on energy storage assets from 10% to 30% for customers.

Back in time, Fluence was founded as a JV between Siemens and AES in 2018 and IPOed on the NASDAQ late last year at a valuation of US$4.7bn. The company acquired energy storage software and AI pioneer Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) in October 2020 and rebranded its offerings as Fluence Digital and Trading Platform.

London-based Queequeg is about to submit planning applications for the first projects in its 1.3GW tranche of grid-secured solar projects, with two gigawatt-hours of grid-secured standalone battery schemes also due to enter planning in the months ahead. The solar projects range in size from 10MW to 50MW and will be subsidy-free and powered by power purchase agreements (PPAs).

The battery pipeline comprises schemes ranging in scale from 20-480 megawatt-hours and will deliver capacity and grid balancing services to the grid. Projects are planned in England, Scotland and Wales with Queequeg intending to initially build and operate a number of the assets.

All projects have grid offers and land agreements in place and it is Queequeg’s plan to bring further renewables projects into the portfolio. The pipeline is the culmination of more than a year’s work by Queequeg, which has “built a strong development team” countrywide with key hires from across the renewables industry and more roles to follow.

Photo Credits: Queequeg Renewables

The venture is led by company founders Gabriella Palla and Daniele Stiglitz, each of whom brings almost two decades of development experience in Italy, where they have delivered significant wind, solar and biomass projects with a range of partners. Their initial tranche of projects has funding in place, with the company keen to speak to new partners for future schemes. Palla said:

“We were attracted to the UK by its clear regulatory environment and the country’s drive towards increased renewable generation. We believe that developing flexible assets – including standalone battery storage and combined solar and battery schemes – will play a vital role in accelerating the net-zero transition, through mitigating grid congestion and delivering more stable prices. It will be vital for us to develop strong and positive relationships in the communities in which we operate through ensuring that each project we develop is built to the very highest ecological principles.”

The solar projects are being designed with single-axis trackers technology and bifacial crystalline modules to optimise land use and reduce their footprint.

Storage systems will be implemented alongside the solar projects to combine renewable generation with flexible output, providing stability and frequency response to the grid.