IPL and AES leaders officially open first battery-based energy storage in MISO region

July 12, 2016

INDIANAPOLIS--Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), a subsidiary of The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), announces today IPL and AES leaders cut the ribbon on the new IPL Advancion® Energy Storage Array Facility located at the Harding Street Generation Station. The Advancion Array is the first grid-scale, battery-based energy storage system to make a footprint in the 15-state Midcontinent Independent System Operation (MISO) region, which will provide affordable and reliable power for our customers. 

"IPL is committed to developing energy solutions that balance affordability for our customers and the impact on the environment," said Rafael Sanchez, IPL President & CEO. "This array provides an innovative approach to helping address the challenges that come with diversifying our energy mix with more wind and solar resources."

The IPL Advancion Array provides 20 megawatts (MW) of interconnected energy storage equivalent to 40 MW of flexible resources with unmatched operations flexibility. The facility will lower emissions by enabling more efficient dispatch of existing generating assets and support the ongoing integration of renewable power sources. The Advancion energy storage platform was recently recognized with the 2016 International Edison Award for its contribution to the growth and integration of clean energy around the globe. The IPL Array features Advancion pre-certified suppliers, including Samsung SDI and Parker Hannifin, and the balance of plant was provided by the Casteel Corporation.

IPL continues to pursue a balanced generation portfolio. By next spring, the majority of IPL's generating capacity will come from natural gas, wind and solar. Last month, IPL was also recognized by Edison Electric Institute for innovating execution of solar generation and battery storage projects. Additionally, there was representation from IPL and AES at the White House Summit, which invited regulators, energy company leaders and energy developers to discuss renewable energy and energy storage. 

"Advancion 4, our fourth generation solution, was developed to meet the needs of utilities like IPL who are looking for innovative and proven solutions," said John Zahurancik, President of AES Energy Storage. "With nearly a decade of energy storage experience and more than 3 million megawatt hours of delivered service across the installed base, Advancion will deliver value immediately and for many years to come."

For an in-depth look at how IPL Advancion Energy Storage Array will support electric grid reliability, visit IPL's blog +Stories (pronounced "Positive Stories) at IPLpower.com/blog.

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About Indianapolis Power & Light Company and AES.
Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), an AES company, provides retail electric service to more than 480,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. During its long history, IPL has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country. For more information about the company, please visit www.IPLpower.com or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 200 global power company. We provide affordable, sustainable energy to 17 countries through a diverse portfolio of distribution businesses as well as thermal and renewable generation facilities. Its workforce of 21,000 people is committed to operational excellence and meeting the world's changing power needs. Our 2015 revenues were $15 billion, and we own and manage $37 billion in total assets. To learn more, please visit www.aes.com. Follow AES on Twitter @TheAESCorp.

Media Contact
Claire Dalton
Indianapolis Power & Light Company
317.829.7737, pager 317.393.7584
claire.dalton@aes.com