The AES Corporation is an American utility and power generation company. It owns and operates power plants, which it uses to generate and sell electricity to end users and intermediaries like utilities and industrial facilities. AES, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is one of the world's leading power companies, generating and distributing electric power in 15 countries[2] and employing 10,500 people worldwide. AES Corporation is a global Fortune 500 power company.[3] AES Ranks in the Top Ten of Fast Company's 2022 Best Workplaces for Innovators.[4]
History
The company was founded on January 28, 1981, as Applied Energy Services[5] by Roger Sant and Dennis Bakke, two appointees of the Federal Energy Administration under president Richard Nixon. The company was initially a consulting firm; it became AES Corporation, which went public in 1991. Sant was chairman, CEO, and president and Bakke was executive vice president until assuming the position of president in 1987. Bakke later became the company's CEO in 1994, serving for eight years until his resignation in 2002 in the midst of a liquidity crisis that followed the collapse of the energy giant Enron.[6][7] Sant remained as executive chairman until 2003 and as a member of the board until 2006. Paul Hanrahan was appointed president and CEO and remained for ten years, overseeing the stabilization of the company. Until the early 2000s, the company followed self-management, delegating much responsibility to ordinary employees.[8] In 2012, Hanrahan resigned his position as president and CEO of the company, and he was succeeded by Andres Gluski. As CEO, Gluski has implemented a strategy of reducing the number of countries in which AES does business, from 28 to 16, for the purpose of consolidating operations and reducing costs. Additionally, he began a program of reducing the company's total carbon emission intensity.
Bakke and Sant oversaw much of AES's initial global expansion, building power plants in 29 countries and expanding its staff from 1,400 to 32,000 employees, and also instilled a system of decentralized management that emphasized social responsibility above profit. In recent years, AES has signaled a commitment to providing its consumers and clients with renewable forms of energy, and its operations across the world increasingly have focused on the construction and provision of solar and wind-based energy storage systems.
AES acquired the assets of Indianapolis Power & Light, Ipalco, in 2000.[9] In February 2021, Indianapolis Power & Light rebranded as AES Indiana.[10]
AES acquired the Chilean-based subsidiary Gener in 2000 and acquired DPL Inc., then known as Dayton Power & Light, in 2011.[11] Although retaining its name for legal purposes, the company was rebranded as AES Ohio in February 2021.[12]
In fiscal 2015 AES's total revenue was $15 billion.[13]
In 2018, AES acquired the subsidiary sPower.
In December 2021, AES acquired Community Energy Solar (Community Energy) to help deliver 4 GW of renewables in the U.S.[14]
Major projects
Fluence
Launched during January 2018, Fluence is a joint venture between AES Energy Storage and Siemens that is focused on the development of, and expansion of energy storage technologies and services. Chaired by former AES vice-president for energy storage platforms Stephen Coughlin, and headquartered in Washington D.C., Fluence aims to implement AES's extensive research into the potential of lithium-ion powered energy sources by relying upon Siemens' expansive global presence in the industrial sector; for the purpose of addressing the rapidly rising demand for clean energy technologies.[15] Fluence has been deployed in 16 countries, with major projects including the following:[16]
The creation of a new 40 megawatt storage facility on behalf of San Diego Gas & Electric's new 40 MW storage facility.[17]
Three solar powered projects throughout Arizona and two 10 MW projects in the Dominican Republic.[18]
The installation of six storage projects across Germany that will provide grid stabilization.[19]
The construction of a hybrid microgrid on the Mediterranean Island of Ventotene. Said microgrid will be developed as per an agreement between Fluence and the Italian energy utility Enel, and will combine diesel generators with renewables in order to aid in the efforts to reduce carbon costs and emissions.[19] The key technology platforms developed by Fluence include the following.
Key Fluence technologies
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(October 2020)
Fluence is expected to employ three different types of grid technology. WP:Crystal
i):SIESTORAGE: An electrical energy storage system fueled predominantly by wind and solar energy. Siestorage relies upon the closed-loop controls and pulse modulation built into its semiconductors, in order to provide consumers with increased dependability.[20]
ii):Advancion: A storage system that is made up of several small, modular nodes and powered by lithium-ion batteries, which enables the Advancion energy store system to provide consumers with a heightened degree of consistency in performance.[21]
iii): Sunflux Energy: Announced in January 2018, Sunflex was developed for the purpose of expanding upon the possibilities offered by photovoltaic solar energy. This technology is built to capture energy during peak solar hours in order to expand energy delivery.[22][23]
Projected ventures using Fluence technologies
Presently, the biggest project in Fluence's portfolio is a 100–400 Mwh "power center energy storage project" for Southern California Edison.[24] This system will be housed within AES's power center in Los Alamitos, California.
During January 2018, the subsidiary AES India, working in partnership with Mitsubishi, commenced construction of a 10 MW energy storage solution[buzzword] that will be located in Rohini. This storage solution[buzzword], which shall operate off Fluence's Advancion technology, is projected to be the first utility-scale system to be in India.[25]
sPower
Headquartered in Salt Lake City and acquired from Fir Tree Partners Inc in a purchase during 2017 as part of a joint acquisition with Alberta Investment Management Corporation, sPower is a large developer of utility-scale solar in the United States, operating across 11 states, and with particular focus on the states of California and North Carolina.[26] Its current operating portfolio includes 1.3 GW worth of solar and wind based properties, in addition to over 10,000 MW worth of projects that are in the developmental stage.[27]
Investment in drone technologies
As part of an effort by AES to protect its employees from industry hazards and to improve workplace safety, the company announced a partnership with drone provider Measure to inspect their various energy infrastructures sites across 17 countries.[28]
Major properties and subsidiaries
Properties and subsidiaries in North America
AES Ohio, branding for DPL Inc. – Dayton Power and Light Company
AES Indiana, formerly IPL – Indianapolis Power & Light Company
TermoAndes: Located in the province of Salta, and acquired by AES in 2000. This hybrid plants utilizes both gasoline and diesel fuels and has a production capacity of 643 MW.
Alicura: Acquired by AES in the year 2000. This hydro powered plant is one of Andes' most important alternative energy assets, boasting 1,000 megawatts of generation capacity.
Guillermo Brown: Located in the province of Buenos Aires, and acquired by AES in 2016. This gas turbine utilizes both natural gas and diesel fuels and has a generation capacity of 576 MW.
Los Caracoles: Owned by AES Argentina, and located in [Buenos Aires]. This hydroelectric plant produces 12 MW. Although AES owns the property, the equity is publicly owned, and operations are carried out through various managerial and Observation and Measurement agreements.[33]
Paraná-GT: Purchased by AES Argentina in 2001, and located in San Nicolás de los Arroyos. This plant uses both gasoline and diesel as fuel sources, and has a total capacity of 845 megawatts.
Carba Corral: Based in the province of [Salta], and owned by AES Argentina, who purchased the property in 1995. This plant has an installed capacity of 102 MW, and runs on hydro power.
Sarmiento Power Plant: Owned by AES Andes, and located in San Juan Province, Argentina. This plant was acquired by AES in 1996, and runs off both gas and diesel fuel. It has an installed capacity of 33 MW, and runs off 3 Electrical gas turbines, all of which measure 11 MW.[34]
Ballyumford Power Station: Located on the northwestern end of Islandmagee in County Antrim. This property, purchased by AES in 2010, is the largest power station on the Irish mainland, boasting a generating capacity of 1017 megawatts. [citation needed]
Kilroot Power Station: Acquired by AES in 1992 deal that included Belfast Power Station West. The company was named NIGEN and distinguished by the fact that it was the first purchase the company made outside of the United States, this property is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough in, and was acquired by AES in 1992. This station has an installed generating capacity of 560 megawatts, and operates using generators that run off both oil and gas, as well as via turbines that provide it with an additional 142 MW. Belfast Power Station West was a 240MW coal fired plant comprising 13 chain grate stoker boilers and 5 Parsons turbo generators 2X30MW and 3x60MW[35]
Array: An energy storage system located at the Kilroot Power station, and operating off Fluence's Advancion model. This system is the largest advanced energy storage system in the United Kingdom, providing 10 megawatts of interconnected storage energy.[36]
Based in Bulgaria
Maritsa Iztok: The largest energy complex in Southeast Europe, the Maritsa Iztok Complex is a 690 coal plant located in Galabovo. It was acquired by AES in 2011.
St. Nikola: St. Nikola is a 156 MW wind generator located near the town of Kavarna. Built in 2009, it is considered the largest wind farm in the country. As part of the high efficiency standards maintained throughout the development and construction of this generator, AES Geo Energy was awarded both the 2008 "Sustainable Energy Deal of the Year" Prize from EMEA Finance Magazine as well as the "Investor of 2009" in the Energy Sector by the Bulgarian Investment Agency for Production of Electric Power from RES.).
Based in the Netherlands
Netherlands ES: Located in Vlissingen, this energy storage system was built using AES's Advancion technology. This system, which produces a total of 10 MW, is designed to provide a low-battery based alternative to traditional power plants and hydroelectric storages.[37]
Formerly - Elsta: Located in the Dutch province of Zeeland, near Terneuzen. AES acquired 50% of the interests in this facility in 1998, as part of a transaction that divided ownership between it, DELTA, and Essent.[38] This combined heat and power facility is powered by a trio of natural gas turbines, and can produce up to 630 MW of power. Sold, as of 2024 property of Dow Terneuzen.
Properties and subsidiaries in Asia
Properties and subsidiaries in the Middle East
Based in Jordan
'The Amman East Power Plant' MW a 380 MW combined cycle gas-fired power plant located Al Manakher. The plant was commissioned in 2009, and is a shared subsidiary of AES and Mitsui & Co. In 2011 Qatar Electricity & Water Corporation announced it will buy a stake in the power plant.[citation needed]
Properties and subsidiaries in Central Asia
Based in Kazakhstan
Ust-Kamenorgorsk: Active since 1947 and purchased megawatt AES in 1997, CHP is a 1,372 MW coal power plant located in the East Kazakhstan Region.[citation needed]
Sogrinsk CHP: Acquired by AES in 1997 and operated by the power generation company CHP LLP, this coal based plant has a total capacity of 345 MW. It is located in the East Kazakhstan Region.[citation needed]
Formerly - Ust-Kamenogorsk HPP: Located on the Irtysch River near Ust-Kamenogorsk in the East Kazakhstan Region, and purchased by AES in 1997. This is a hydroelectric plant that operates using 4 individual turbines, with nominal output of 83 MW, total generation capacity of 340 MW.[citation needed]
Properties and subsidiaries in Southeast Asia
Based in the Philippines
Masinloc Power Plant: Located in the Zambales Province in Luzon, and purchased for $930 million from Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd. in 2009. This project, a 630 MW coal power plant, derives its resources from its proximity to the Pacific Rim, and has a stable infrastructure amendable to further megawatt additions.[39]
Masinloc ES: Located in the Zambales Province in Luzon, and launched by AES subsidiary Masin-AES Pte. Ltd during 2016. This storage generator provides 10 MW to the Luzon grid, and is the first battery based energy system in the country.[40]
Based in Vietnam
Mong Duong 2: Located in Cam Pha, this 1,240 MW coal fired plant became commercially operational in 2015.[41] This plant, constructed under a Build-Operate Transfer (BOT) agreement between AES and state owned entities Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and Vinacomin, is the largest power project in the nation's private sector.
Properties and subsidiaries in India
OPGC Plant: Acquired by AES in 1998, this coal power plant has a total capacity of 420 MW. It is located in Odisha.
OPGC II: Currently under construction, this coal powered plant is expected to boast 1,300 MW capacity.
^[1]Archived June 15, 2018, at the Wayback MachineSiestorage Platform. fluenceenergy.com. Accessed June 14, 2018.
^[2]Archived June 15, 2018, at the Wayback Machine "The Advancion Energy Storage Platform". fluenceenergy.com. Accessed June 14, 2018
^[3]Archived June 15, 2018, at the Wayback Machine "The SunFlex Energy Storage Platform". Accessed June 14, 2018
^"Fluence Sunstack"(PDF). fluenceenergy.com. 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022. TS-009-06-EN
^Lambert, Fred. [4]/. "AES and Siemens launch new energy storage startup to compete with Tesla Energy, will supply new world's biggest battery project". January 11, 2018. Accessed June 14, 2018.
^[5] "AES and Mitsubishi Corporation Start Construction on India's First Grid-Scale Energy Storage System for Tata Power-DDL". Business Wire. January 23, 2018. Accessed June 15, 2018.
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