Heat Exchanger World Magazine October 2026 | Page 26

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Citrus
Flatts Energy Center in Cameron County, TX. Image courtesy of Equinor.

100 MW battery storage project starts operations in Texas

A new 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage facility has entered commercial operation in Texas, adding further storage capacity to the state’ s rapidly evolving power market. The project is designed to provide flexible electricity supply and support grid stability as renewable generation continues to expand.
By Iryna Mukha, Heat Exchanger World
Second Texas facility Citrus Flatts, located in Harlingen, Texas, has been completed by East Point Energy, a wholly owned Equinor company. The facility is the company’ s second operational battery storage project, following the 10 MW / 20 MWh Sunset Ridge facility, which began operations last year. The two projects have a combined capacity of 110 MW / 220 MWh and can supply enough electricity to power around 30,000 homes for up to two hours within the ERCOT power market. Both facilities operate on a fully merchant basis in ERCOT. Their operations are supported by Equinor’ s integrated power market capabilities, including collaboration with Danske Commodities on asset management, operations and portfolio optimisation.“ The start-up of these facilities underscores Equinor’ s ambition to grow its integrated power business, delivering flexible and reliable energy solutions in attractive power markets,” said Christian Lie Hansen, Equinor vice president of onshore renewables Americas and chair of the East Point Energy board. Battery storage can help balance fluctuations in electricity supply and demand by storing excess power and releasing it when demand is higher. This flexibility is increasingly relevant in Texas, where wind and solar generation have expanded rapidly alongside continued growth in electricity demand.
Expanding US storage portfolio The project also contributes to East Point Energy’ s transition from project developer to independent power producer, while forming part of Equinor’ s broader onshore power activities in the US.“ This project will generate millions in tax revenue to support local priorities. As energy demand surges across Texas, it will strengthen the electrical grid and help keep energy costs affordable for families and businesses,” said Andrew Foukal, CEO of East Point Energy. Beyond Texas, construction is underway on four additional battery storage projects in Virginia’ s PJM power market. The projects have a combined capacity of 80 MW / 160 MWh and are expected to enter commercial operation in early 2027.
26 Heat Exchanger World October 2026 www. heat-exchanger-world. com