Battery Upgrades

Salas O’Brien provided electrical engineering services for a 10 MW / 15 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) supporting American Electric Power (AEP) and the City of Martinsville. The project included the integration of three Wärtsilä BESS units connected to an existing 35kV distribution system to provide stored energy during peak demand periods and improve overall grid performance.

Salas O’Brien’s scope included interconnection design, underground power distribution, metering, protection systems, controls, communications infrastructure, and a control building, ensuring seamless integration with the existing electrical network. The project also incorporated battery cabinets, inverters, medium-voltage switchgear, and remote monitoring capabilities, helping AEP enhance grid reliability, operational flexibility, and peak load management.