CANCUN, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mexico President Calderon announced today at COP16/CMP6, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, his intention to support a project by RUBENIUS, a Dubai-based alternative energy and smart grid enabler, to provide energy storage to enable use of renewable energy and manage the power grid more efficiently.

“Energy storage is the intelligent way to make renewable energy carbon free. Currently renewables require some sort of back up power -- for example: when the wind stops blowing, the most common solution today is carbon based back up systems. Energy storage can end this quandary,” stated President Calderon.

The President met with Claus Rubenius, chairman of RUBENIUS, at COP16/CMP6. The two had an in-depth discussion of renewable storage in North America and other locations.

“It is only fitting that we set a timetable for eliminating barriers to enable Mexico and our neighboring countries to accelerate renewable energy efforts at COP16/CMP6,” said President Calderon.

In addition to the world’s first energy warehouse, today Rubenius also announced his intentions to pursue energy storage manufacturing operations. The new factory will also be based in Silicon Border; Baja California creating an additional 1,000 green jobs there.

In addition to the energy storage RUBENIUS will also offer its products and expertise for Off Grid Communities. Nearly 3.5 billion people do not have access to a reliable electrical grid and clean water. Mexico will initiate several beta sites where off-grid communities are provided with either solar or wind power, power storage and water treatment at rates near what people on the grid are paying in the long run. RUBENIUS has solutions now; President Calderon expressed interest in trying this technology in one or two communities.

“Our experience in the UAE and our smart grid expertise has given us the confidence to enter into the North American market with a 1 GW energy storage project in Silicon Border’s science park in Mexicali, Baja California,” said Rubenius. “The Mexican operation will house the storage devices and we will have offices in San Diego, California for research and development. The locations enable us to address both Mexico and the U.S.” The storage warehouse will require an investment of more than $4 billion, over the next 5 to 7 years.

About RUBENIUS

RUBENIUS was founded to be a world leader in utility service including energy warehousing. The company helps communities, utilities and energy producers intelligently monitor and control their resources, with the goal of achieving less carbon in the process. RUBENIUS also will provide reliable services at the lowest possible cost. Currently the company and its affiliates have contracted more than $2 billion of utility management solutions, is privately held and has more than 1,900 employees. More information can be found at www.rubenius.com.

About Silicon Border

Silicon Border is a 4,000-hectare “science park” catering to the renewable energy sector including wind, solar, algae harvesting and smart grid companies looking for factory sites and energy generation sites for the North American Market. It is located at the cross roads of the power grids of the United States and Mexico. Its location enables companies here to be a cost-competitive with Asia. More information can be found at www.siliconborder.com.