Convergent, Powin discuss changes to manufacturing battery models, resuming operations at BESS locations in Warwick
During a regular meeting of the Warwick Valley Board of Education on March 7, Convergent Energy’s Chief Operating and Financial Officer Frank Genova and Powin Energy’s Chief Projects Officer Brian Kane presented measures the company has taken to ensure the safety of their Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) locations.
Water infiltration during a storm into a BESS on Warwick Valley Central School District property behind the bus garage caused a fire late-June 2023. Genova detailed the root cause of the fire in October 2023. During the same storm, water also seeped into a BESS at another local site on Church Street, causing a fire as well. As a result, the sites have remained inactive.
On March 7, Genova and Kane explained Convergent’s and Powin’s plan to ensure safe operations at the locations and its timeline to restart the BESS systems before summer.
Powin’s new Centipede model units will be installed. These new units will have a sealant applied to prevent water from seeping into the system and have an integrated water intrusion system. They will also have fire barriers between segments of the units to contain any fire. The company has also thoroughly fire-tested the new Centipede unit. All testing has been overseen by three independent, third-party companies.
Genova emphasized the need for the battery power in the area as they bolster electricity supply to Orange and Rockland Utilities for over 7,500 Warwick residents, especially during peak usage periods, such as the summer.
The Board posed several questions during the session.
The companies has assured the district that it will cover any district-incurred costs.
Updates have been provided to all stakeholders on the District’s website. You may review our previous posts and related documents here:
- Convergent provides root cause of battery system fire at Oct. 5 Board meeting
- Update on Battery Storage System at Sept. 14 Board meeting
- August 18, 2023 Dr. Leach Provides BESS Information at Aug. 17 WVCSD Board Meeting
- August 3, 2023 Update Provided on Battery Energy Storage System Failures
- July 6, 2023 Battery Energy Storage System Failures Discussed at WVCSD Board Meeting
- June 30, 2023 Environmental Safety Management Corporation Laboratory Report
- July 6, 2023 Opening Statement from Dr. Leach, Superintendent of Schools
- July 6, 2023 Letter to the District and Community from Convergent and Powin
- Community Update: Reopening of Buildings and Grounds Monday, July 3 (July 2, 5:15 pm)
- Community Update: Energy Facility Fire, District Closure (June 28, 7:45 pm)
- Update: Energy Facility Fire, WVCSD Closure (June 27, 11:15 pm)
- Wednesday Closure Message (June 27, 8:00 pm)
- Community Message (June 27, 3:00 pm)