TAIPEI–The acquisition of a 60.5% stake in ENGIE EPS by Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) was finalized and completed in July.
The deal, which was announced in April, saw the Italy-headquartered stationary storage and e-mobility solutions subsidiary of French multinational Engie taken over by TCC subsidiary Taiwan Cement Europe Holdings.
What both parties get out of the deal
In a press release, TCC said it has now become a “major player” in electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well as its newly acquired capabilities in building large-scale battery storage systems and microgrids.
To date, ENGIE EPS / NHOA has completed 300MWh of energy storage installations and has 600MWh of projects under construction, including a solar-plus-storage project in Hawaii that combines 60MWac of solar PV with 240MWh of battery storage.
Through a partnership with Free2Move, a subsidiary of automotive OEM company Stellantis, it is also deploying EV charge networks that include bi-directional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems. Through the latter offering, the company is currently installing a 25MW V2G project in Turin, Italy, which will provide a new “ultra-rapid frequency reserve” service to Italian grid operator Terna called Fast Reserve.
TCC already owns a lithium-ion battery manufacturer based in Taiwan, called E-Moli, which has 1.5GW of annual production capacity. Through this new deal it is now the sole group based in Taiwan to have in-house R&D, manufacturing and management capabilities across the value chain for clean energy and electric mobility, it claimed. The company touted NHOA’s strengths in digital software solutions, including an artificial intelligence-driven energy management system (EMS) and cloud-based monitoring platform.
TCC said immediate opportunities ahead include installing large-scale energy storage systems for Taiwan’s various big industrial players. The battery systems could reduce these entities’ peak demand use of electricity from the grid and provide backup power as needed.
Source: Energy Storage News (by Andy Colthorpe, Editor) Read The Article
PSR Analysis: The vision shown by TCC in expanding beyond its traditional business model into the realm of global alternative energy solutions will position the firm to be an important player in the development of smart cities in Taiwan and other regions. The key here is that TCC has a cohesive vision for bringing together seemingly disparate elements.
Variable renewables – often hindered by inconsistent supply – once had to rely on diesel or gas backup systems. Battery Energy Storage Systems (ESS) can free the VRE source from dependence on fossil fuel generators, and support utilities by increasing the availability of VRE supplied electricity.
EV charging infrastructures are one of the major hurdles for any city, province or country trying to increase EV adoption and reduce consumer anxiety. By adding Vehicle to Grid/Business/Home (V2X) infrastructure to the equation, EVs that would normally sit dormant during the day in parking lots can be employed, as needed, to provide supplemental energy throughout the day or night.
Certainly, none of these on its own, or even taken as a whole, constitutes a panacea. There are serious challenges when it comes to battery technology and the well-to-wheel impact. Experts I’ve talked to remind us that a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which calls for comprehensive CO2 emissions control during energy generation, manufacturing, transportation, and recycling must be included in future regulations. Without considering the whole picture, we are certain to miss the mark. PSR
Erik Martin is Director – Asia Region for Power Systems Research
