UCB and Powin Join Forces to Advance Brazil’s Utility-Scale Energy Storage Market
Powin LLC, a leading U.S.-based global energy storage integrator, has entered into a strategic partnership with UCB, a top energy storage solutions provider in Brazil. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the growth of Brazil’s utility-scale energy storage market. This collaboration aims to address the increasing demand for large-scale energy storage solutions, specifically for projects exceeding 30 megawatts (MW). The demand is being driven by Brazil’s rapid renewable energy expansion and the need for enhanced grid reliability.
A significant milestone for the Brazilian energy storage industry is the country’s first-ever Capacity Reserve Auction (LRCAP), exclusively dedicated to energy storage, scheduled for late 2025. This initiative is designed to enhance the operational flexibility of the nation’s electrical grid and facilitate the seamless integration of renewable energy sources. Through their partnership, UCB and Powin seek to leverage their complementary expertise to deliver advanced, scalable, and locally optimized battery energy storage systems (BESS) for large-scale applications.
Harnessing Complementary Expertise
The strategic partnership between UCB and Powin brings together two industry leaders with distinct yet complementary capabilities that will help shape the future of Brazil’s energy storage sector.
UCB: Deep Local Knowledge and Market Leadership
UCB has established itself as a key player in the Brazilian energy sector, possessing extensive knowledge of the country’s power industry, regulatory framework, and market dynamics. The company has a proven track record of delivering innovative energy solutions tailored to the specific needs of Brazil.
One of UCB’s most significant advantages is its operational presence within the country, including a Giga-Factory in Manaus, a hub for lithium battery manufacturing. The company has successfully delivered over 65,000 remote off-grid energy systems and produced more than 120 million lithium batteries to date. This level of expertise and production capacity uniquely positions UCB to navigate the complexities of Brazil’s evolving energy landscape while ensuring that storage solutions comply with local regulatory requirements.
Additionally, UCB’s commercial reach and experience in deploying energy storage solutions in both urban and remote areas provide a strong foundation for scaling up utility-scale storage projects. With a history of pioneering advancements in energy storage, UCB brings the necessary industry knowledge and operational framework to support the successful deployment of large-scale BESS projects.
Powin: Global Leader in Energy Storage Innovation
Powin is recognized as a global leader in energy storage solutions, offering a combination of hardware, software, and system integration expertise that enables efficient and reliable energy storage deployment. The company’s state-of-the-art Pod hardware platform and proprietary StackOS™ software are designed to optimize energy storage performance, enhance efficiency, and ensure seamless scalability.
With a proven track record of delivering over 17 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy storage projects worldwide, Powin has built a reputation for providing high-performance, long-duration battery storage solutions. The company’s strong supply chain partnerships allow it to procure high-quality battery components while maintaining cost efficiency.
Powin’s expertise in energy storage deployment, along with its deep understanding of grid integration challenges, makes it a valuable partner for advancing Brazil’s energy storage market. By working with UCB, Powin aims to introduce advanced BESS technologies that are optimized for Brazil’s specific energy needs, particularly in areas where renewable energy adoption is growing rapidly.
Addressing Brazil’s Growing Energy Storage Needs
Brazil’s energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by ambitious renewable energy goals and increasing concerns about grid stability. The country has one of the world’s largest hydropower fleets, but the intermittent nature of wind and solar energy generation has created a need for robust energy storage solutions.
The upcoming Capacity Reserve Auction (LRCAP) represents a crucial step in incentivizing energy storage deployment at a national level. By allocating contracts specifically for storage assets, Brazil aims to improve grid reliability, balance supply and demand fluctuations, and enhance the integration of renewable energy sources.
Through their partnership, UCB and Powin are positioned to contribute significantly to this transition by providing utility-scale BESS solutions that offer:
- Enhanced grid flexibility: Enabling better management of power fluctuations and reducing reliance on fossil-fuel backup power.
- Optimized renewable integration: Storing excess solar and wind energy for use during peak demand periods.
- Increased energy security: Improving resilience against grid disruptions and blackouts.
- Cost-effective solutions: Reducing long-term energy costs through efficient storage and deployment strategies.
Pioneering Brazil’s Energy Transition and Resilience
The collaboration between UCB and Powin is expected to set a new benchmark for the energy storage industry in Brazil. The combination of local expertise and global technological leadership will allow the two companies to introduce cutting-edge solutions that are both cost-effective and tailored to the specific requirements of the Brazilian market.
Marcelo Rodrigues, Vice President of Sales & Innovation at UCB, emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership, stating:
“The demand for utility-scale energy storage in Brazil is poised to grow exponentially as the country continues its transition to renewable energy and strengthens its grid infrastructure. This partnership with Powin underscores our commitment to bringing world-class solutions to the Brazilian market, tailored to local needs and opportunities.”
Powin’s Chief Revenue Officer, Mark Babcock, also highlighted the significance of the collaboration:
“As a global leader in BESS, we are pleased to partner with UCB to unlock the potential of Brazil’s energy storage market. Our proprietary technology and deep supply chain expertise, combined with UCB’s local presence and regulatory acumen, will set a new benchmark for utility-scale energy storage in the region.”
The Future of Energy Storage in Brazil
The partnership between UCB and Powin marks a pivotal moment in Brazil’s energy transition journey. With a growing emphasis on decarbonization and energy security, the role of utility-scale storage solutions will become increasingly critical in the coming years.
Looking ahead, UCB and Powin plan to collaborate on multiple fronts, including:
- Joint project development: Identifying and executing large-scale energy storage projects across Brazil.
- Technology innovation: Enhancing battery performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
- Regulatory engagement: Working closely with policymakers to support favorable market conditions for energy storage adoption.
- Capacity building: Providing training and knowledge-sharing initiatives to advance local expertise in energy storage solutions.
With the upcoming Capacity Reserve Auction on the horizon, this partnership positions UCB and Powin as key contributors to Brazil’s evolving energy landscape. By combining their strengths, they aim to deliver solutions that not only support renewable energy growth but also create a more resilient and sustainable power grid for the future.
