SAN DIEGO, Feb. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
SDG&E is showcasing the world's largest lithium-ion battery
energy storage facility in partnership with AES Energy Storage,
which will enhance regional energy reliability while maximizing
renewable energy use. The 30 megawatt (MW) energy storage
facility is capable of storing up to 120 megawatt hours of energy,
the energy equivalent of serving 20,000 customers for four
hours.
Last year, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC)
directed Southern California
investor-owned electric utilities to fast-track additional energy
storage options to enhance regional energy reliability. In
response, SDG&E expedited ongoing negotiations and contracted
with AES Energy Storage to build two projects for a total of 37.5
MW of lithium ion battery energy storage. In addition to the 30 MW
facility built in Escondido,
Calif., a smaller 7.5 MW installation was built in
El Cajon.
"San Diego County is a
community of leadership and innovation, so it is only fitting that
this community should receive the benefit of this unique project,"
said Scott Drury, SDG&E's
president. "For more than a decade, SDG&E has been at the
forefront to deliver results consistent with state and local clean
energy and carbon emission goals. These projects affirm our
commitment to deliver clean energy to customers and to provide a
more reliable power supply to our electric grid when it is most
needed."
The 400,000 batteries, similar to those in electric vehicles,
were installed in nearly 20,000 modules and placed in 24
containers. The batteries will act like a sponge, soaking up
and storing energy when it is abundant – when the sun is shining,
the wind is blowing and energy use is low – and releasing it when
energy resources are in high demand. This will provide
reliable energy when customers need it most, and maximize the use
of renewable resources such as solar and wind.
"SDG&E is a leader in providing clean, reliable power to
their customers, and we're honored that they chose Advancion energy
storage to serve their needs," said John
Zahurancik, AES Energy Storage president. "These two
projects, including the world's largest advanced energy storage
site, are the latest proof of energy storage's capacity to scale up
and solve our most pressing grid issues in a short period."
Energy storage is playing a key role in SDG&E's commitment
to delivering clean, safe and reliable energy. By 2030, the company
expects to develop or interconnect more than 330 MWs of energy
storage on the system. These projects can help support the delivery
of more renewables to customers and help strengthen SDG&E's
record as the most reliable utility in the West.
SDG&E is an innovative San
Diego-based energy company that provides safe, reliable,
clean energy to better the lives of the people it serves in
San Diego and southern
Orange counties. More than 4,100
employees work to provide the cleanest and most reliable energy in
the West. The company has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for leadership in addressing climate change, was
the first to meet California's
goal of delivering 33 percent of energy from renewable sources, has
fueled the adoption of electric vehicles and energy efficiency
through unique customer programs, and supports more than 600
non-profit partners. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy
(NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in
San Diego. For more information
visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE),
Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.
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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)