Dive Brief:
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San Diego Gas & Electric in partnership with AES Energy Storage has completed the installation of what it says is the largest lithium-ion battery storage facility in the world.
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The 30 MW, 120 MWh facility in Escondido, Calif., is capable of serving 20,000 customers for four hours.
- AES also put into service for SDG&E a 7.5 MW, 30 MWh storage facility in El Cajon, Calif.
Dive Insight:
Wary of possible electricity shortfalls as a result of gas shortages stemming from the Aliso Canyon methane leak, the California Public Utility Commission last year directed utilities in Southern California to fast-track energy storage facilities.
Last month, Tesla brought an 80 MWh storage facility online for Southern California Edison, and Greensmith Energy brought a 20 MW, 80 MWh facility online for Southern California Edison.
SDG&E says the AES batteries will enhance regional energy reliability while maximizing renewable energy use in the region. The 400,000 batteries are similar to those found in electric vehicles and are housed in 24 containers.
“The rapid delivery of these two projects, including the world’s largest advanced energy storage site, is the latest proof of energy storage’s capacity to scale up and solve our most pressing grid issues in a short period," John Zahurancik, president of AES Energy Storage, said in a statement.
Both AES battery facilities will count toward SDG&E's local capacity requirements, meaning stored energy will replace fossil fuel generation otherwise deployed to meet peak demand in the evening. Utility Dive visited the Escondido storage facility last fall for a deeper look at the expedited deployment.
