Sep 12, 2009

Science Scene - Texas to get a large scale Utility Sponsored Battery :o)


Electric Transmission Texas LLC (ETT) has completed a contract with NGK-Locke, Inc. for a state-of-the-art, sodium-sulfur 4-megawatt NAS® battery system, which will be installed in Presidio, Texas. ETT is a joint venture between American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (MidAmerican).


The NAS battery will be the first in Texas and the largest in the United States and represents part of a $67 million overall commitment by ETT to improve transmission reliability in Presidio and surrounding areas. Cost of the battery and substation is estimated at approximately $23 million. A 60-mile, 69- kilovolt transmission line from Marfa to Presidio is targeted for completion by 2012 with an estimated cost of approximately $44 million.

6 comments:

  1. My thing is, does the current work force have the education to be a part of the new green and conservation jobs that project such as this will create? I mean, I don't think I have the expertise to do any of the high functioning work.

    My thing is, will these projects produce the 'factory floor' jobs that the older industries in manufacturing produced?

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  2. Whether jobs flow from this technology is never the agenda for these power-elitist overly rich conglomerates. Bottom line is money for them, never people. Don't believe their intentions are to be more kind to the planet, Ken, it's all about profit (and loss for us). "Millions" is chump change for these guys, sorry to say.

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  3. Hi Ken,
    I sure as hell don't want to see the Energizer Bunny that goes along with that battery ... probably like one of those Loony Toons episodes where Bugs Bunny transforms into a prehistoric monster rabbit ...
    Best,
    Marty

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  4. ROFL at Marty's comment. This is mind boggling to me, both the BIG battery & the price tag!

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