ENERGY STORAGE GETS HOT, 1

FirstTEnergy Acquires Rights To Norton Energy Storage Project
November 23, 2009 (FirstEnergy)

"FirstEnergy Generation Corp… has purchased the rights to develop a compressed-air electric generating plant on a 92-acre site in Norton, Ohio, from CAES Development Company, LLC. The transaction includes rights to a 600-acre underground cavern, formerly operated as a limestone mine, that is ideal for energy storage technology."

[Anthony J. Alexander, President/CEO, FirstEnergy:] “The compressed-air technology envisioned at this site would essentially operate like a large battery, storing energy at night for use during the day when it is needed…Because many renewable energy sources – such as wind – are intermittent, they don’t always produce power when electricity demand is high. The energy storage aspects of this project would provide a way to harness renewable energy to be used when customers need it…”

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[Ohio Governor Ted Strickland:] “This project has the potential to create hundreds of construction jobs and provide support for the development of a vibrant renewable energy business – and additional ‘green energy’ jobs – in Ohio…This is an example of how we can leverage technology and our natural resources to grow our economy and ensure our energy future.”

"…[Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES)] involves compressing air in an underground cavern or other chamber during the evening – when electricity demand is lower – and releasing it during the day, when the need for electricity is greater…[CAES could be key in integrating large-scale intermittent New Energies onto the nation’s grid system]…"

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"…[A]n initial phase could involve installing two to four units capable of generating a minimum of 268 megawatts (MW) of electricity. With 9.6 million cubic meters of storage, the Norton Energy Storage Project has the potential to be expanded to up to 2,700 MW of capacity…

"…Currently, there are two commercial-scale compressed air electric generating facilities: a 110 MW plant in McIntosh, Ala., operated by PowerSouth Cooperative that began service in 1991; and a 290 MW facility in Bremen, Germany, that has been in operation since 1978. While there are other compressed-air projects under development, none is expected to be comparable in size and scope to the Norton facility…FirstEnergy [the 5th biggest investor owned electric utility in the U.S.] currently has more than 800 MW of renewable capacity…By the end of 2012…[it] could be more than 1,000 MW…"