PORTLAND, Ore., July 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland General
Electric Company (NYSE: POR) is set to launch a pilot program that
will incentivize installation and connection of 525 residential
energy storage batteries that PGE will dispatch, contributing up to
four megawatts of energy to PGE's grid. The distributed assets will
create a virtual power plant made up of small units that can be
operated individually or combined to serve the grid, adding
flexibility that supports PGE's transition to a clean energy
future. When the program launches this fall, incentives will be
available to residential customers across PGE's service area.
Rebates will be available to customers within three neighborhoods
participating in PGE's Smart Grid Test Bed, and income-qualified
customers participating in Energy Trust of Oregon's Solar Within Reach offer.
PGE will study the full benefits that these distributed energy
assets can provide the grid while also increasing resiliency for
each participating customer. PGE will operate and test the benefits
of using homes' batteries, each capable of storing 12 to 16 kWh of
energy, to optimize the use of renewable energy and grid
capabilities. In the event of a power outage, participating
customers can rely on them as a backup power resource.
"Our vision for clean energy relies on a smart, integrated grid.
One of the ways that we'll achieve that is through creative
partnerships and diversified energy resources, including those
behind-the-meter," said Larry
Bekkedahl, vice president of Grid Architecture, Integration
and Systems Operation. "This pilot project will allow PGE to
integrate even more intermittent renewable energy and enhance grid
capabilities while also giving participating customers peace of
mind in the event of an outage."
Energy storage maximizes renewables and the grid, improves
power quality
Energy storage is vital to help capture and store energy from
renewable power sources, such as wind and solar, that are more
variable. As a virtual power plant, the residential battery storage
pilot will create a single resource that can help the grid balance
energy production with energy demand, freeing up the generation
resources that are typically held on standby, ready to kick in when
the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine. As a clean energy
option that takes the place of standby resources, the virtual power
plant also gives customers access to reliable energy, even in the
event of system outages.
The test program will also allow PGE to test new smart-grid
control devices across its distribution system that will more
effectively allow a two-way exchange between PGE and pilot
participants. The new controls will more actively manage the way
that electricity is distributed across PGE's system to incorporate
energy that customers generate, such as through solar panels, while
also meeting power demand that is less predictable, such as for
charging electric vehicles. The controls will allow PGE to more
actively manage power distribution to improve power quality for all
customers.
Select rebates and incentives will be available to
participants
When it launches in fall 2020, participation in the program will
be available to residential customers, including:
- Those across PGE's service area who already have or are
installing a qualifying battery. Participation will require an
application, and in exchange for allowing PGE to operate their
battery for grid services, participating customers will receive a
monthly bill credit of $40, or
$20 if the battery is charged with
solar power;
- Customers across PGE's service area who are participating in
the Solar Within Reach offering from Energy Trust of Oregon. Participants will be eligible for a
$5,000 instant rebate in addition to
the monthly bill credits; and
- Those living within the PGE Smart Grid Test Bed who purchase a
battery will be eligible for an instant rebate, in addition to the
monthly bill credit of $40 or
$20, which will allow PGE to test the
localized grid impact of having a large concentration of battery
storage devices available on one substation.
PGE is working with Energy Trust to cost-effectively procure the
residential battery storage systems by leveraging the existing
solar incentive program infrastructure and trade ally contractor
network. Customers who participate in the program will own their
battery systems, and rebates will only be available for systems
installed by an Energy Trust solar trade ally. The program may also
accept customers with a qualifying battery that is was previously
installed, following a process to ensure safe operation.
More information about Portland General Electric's energy
storage program is available at
PortlandGeneral.com/energystorage and will be updated with
details about the residential battery storage pilot program.
About Portland General Electric Company: Portland
General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company
based in Portland, Oregon, with
operations across the state. The company serves 899,000 customers
with a service area population of 1.9 million Oregonians in 51
cities. PGE has 16 generation plants in five Oregon counties, and maintains and operates 14
public parks and recreation areas. For over 130 years, PGE has
delivered safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians.
Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable
energy program in the U.S. PGE and its 3,000 employees are working
with customers to build a clean energy future. In 2019, PGE,
employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $4.7 million and volunteered 32,900 hours with
more than 700 nonprofits annually across Oregon. For more information visit
portlandgeneral.com/cleanvision.
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that relate to future plans, objectives, expectations, performance,
events and the like may constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Forward-looking statements include statements regarding earnings
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result, actual results may differ materially from those projected
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Prospective investors should also review the risks, assumptions and
uncertainties listed in the company's most recent annual report on
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States Securities and Exchange Commission, including management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations and the risks described therein from time to time.
Source: Portland General Company
Media Contact:
Andrea Platt
503-464-7908
Andrea.Platt@pgn.com
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SOURCE Portland General Company