According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2022, the main source of power generation in California was natural gas (47.5%), followed by solar (20%) and large-scale hydropower (7.2%). That year, California generated nearly 203,338 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, resulting in the emission of approximately 40,323 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), 63,469 metric tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 1,130 metric tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2).
To reduce the emissions associated with power generation, the State Legislature has adopted several policies, including the California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program, which requires that 60% of electricity in California come from carbon-free resources by 2030 and 100% by 2045. However, the curtailment of solar-powered electricity generation has been increasing in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) region. CAISO is exploring and implementing various solutions, including promoting the development of flexible resources that can quickly respond to sudden increases and decreases in demand such as battery storage technologies. Storage projects like the proposed Project will assist the CAISO region, not only in reducing renewable energy curtailments, but also in reaching its goal of a carbon-free system by 2045.
The project consists of the design, construction and operation of a standalone, four-hour duration battery energy storage system (BESS), with a total capacity of 100 megawatts of alternating current (MWAC). In addition to the BESS, the project includes the construction of a step-up substation and installation of a 685-foot underground transmission line to interconnect the project to the grid and an energy management system to monitor, operate and track the BESS remotely, as well as document the performance of the system.
The capacity associated with the Project will be sold under a long-term energy storage service agreement with an investment grade-rated entity.
The project will help increase energy storage capacity in the California grid, which will allow the system operator to manage the grid more efficiently by reducing the use of ramp-up/ramp-down fossil-fuel power generating plants, as well as energy losses resulting from mismatches in supply and demand. Likewise, it will support the transition to a greener, more sustainable grid by helping integrate electricity generated by intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. The BESS will be capable of charging and discharging up to 400 MWh of electricity per day, the equivalent of serving 128,750 households for four hours. As a result, the project will displace the emission of an estimated 31,854 metric tons/year of CO2, 46 metric tons/year of NOx and 0.81 of a metric ton/year of SO2.