INDUSTRYNEWS Driving solar further
FORD MOTOR COMPANY is teaming with Detroit Edison, Xtreme Power and the state of Michigan to establish one of the largest solar power generation systems in the state at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant.The renewable energy captured by the project’s primary solar energy system will help power the production of fuel- efficient small cars, including Ford’s all- new Focus and Focus Electric going into production in 2011, and a next-generation hybrid vehicle and a plug-in hybrid vehicle coming in 2012.
A secondary, smaller solar energy system will be integrated at a later date to power lighting systems at Michigan Assembly. The systems are expected to give Michigan Assembly the largest solar power array in Michigan and save an estimated $160,000 per year in energy costs. Installation of the system begins later this year.
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“With this solar energy system, we will be able to gain vital understanding about the integration of renewable power, smart-grid technologies and energy storage at an industrial facility,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president, North America Manufacturing. “This project is a part of the transformation of Michigan Assembly from a large SUV factory to a modern, flexible, and sustainable small car plant.”
Ford will work with Detroit Edison to install a 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system at Michigan Assembly. The system will be integrated with a 750-kw energy storage facility that can store two million watt-hours of energy using batteries, enough to power 100 average Michigan homes for a year. Xtreme Power of Austin, Texas, is supplying its Dynamic Power Resource on-site energy storage and power management system.
The solar energy installation is part of Detroit Edison’s pilot SolarCurrents program that calls for photovoltaic systems to be installed on customer rooftops or property over the next five years to generate 15 megawatts of electricity throughout Southeast Michigan.
The Michigan Assembly project is made possible by a $3 million investment by Detroit Edison’s Solar Currents program, a $2 million grant from the Michigan
Public Service Commission in support of the state’s smart-grid initiative, and approximately $800,000 from Ford.
“Our partnership with Ford is the latest example of how our companies have worked together to power the economic engine of Southeast Michigan,” said Trevor Lauer, Detroit Edison vice president, Marketing & Renewables.
Michigan Assembly will operate on a blend of renewable and conventional electricity. The renewable energy collected by the solar system will go directly into the energy-efficient microgrid to help provide power to the plant. When the plant is inactive, such as holidays, the collected solar energy will go into the energy storage system for later use, providing power during periods of insufficient or inconsistent sunlight.
“We share a commitment with Ford to fostering an environmentally sustainable model of energy use in the U.S., and this joint project is indicative of just how far we’ve come,” said Carlos Coe, CEO, Xtreme Power.
Ford also will install 10 electric vehicle- charging stations at Michigan Assembly to demonstrate advanced battery charging technologies using renewable energy and other smart-grid advances. The stations will be used to recharge electric switcher trucks that transport parts between adjacent facilities. Xtreme
Power will provide an active power management system on the charging stations. Ford also will demonstrate the possibility for using electrified vehicle batteries as stationary power storage devices after their useful life as vehicle power sources is over.
“Ford is strongly committed to its sustainability strategy to support positive social change and reduce the environmental impact of its products and facilities,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “Michigan Assembly is the latest Ford manufacturing facility to utilize renewable power for production.”
Ford’s Dagenham Diesel Centre in the United Kingdom was the first automotive plant in the world to obtain all of its electrical power needs from on-site wind turbines. In addition, Ford’s Bridgend Engine Plant in Wales was the first site retrofitted with one of the largest integrated, grid-connected solar photovoltaic installations at a car manufacturing plant in Europe.
Since 2008, Ford has sourced renewable electricity to cover the power demand at its manufacturing plant in Cologne, Germany. Through this initiative, the
company is reducing its CO2 emissions 190,000 tons per year. Renewable or green power supplies 3 percent of Ford’s energy needs worldwide.
www.solar-pv-management.com Issue VI 2010
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