PG&E Lines Up Big & Small Battery Storage

Pacific Gas & Electric seeks to recover from ratepayers the cost four lithium-ion energy storage projects along the Central Coast in the Moss Landing area. One would be utility owned.

Together the four projects would total 567 MW.

The largest project the utility is requesting California Public Utilities Commission approval for is 300 MW and the smallest is 10 MW.

PG&E asked for approval for a 20-year contract with Dynegy Marketing for a 300 MW lithium-ion battery storage project in Moss Landing in a June 29 filing. The utility also asked approval for a 15-year contract for a 75 MW battery project with Hummingbird Energy Storage to be built in the City of Morgan Hill. Both would be connected to the grid.

The third deal is a 10-year agreement with MicroNoc for a 10 MW behind-the-meter battery storage facility to be connected to the utility’s South Bay and Moss Landing substations.

The fourth project is a 182.5 MW Tesla lithium-ion battery energy storage system to be owned by the utility and built at its Moss Landing substation.

All of the projects could discharge juice to the grid for up to four hours. They are expected to all be online by the end of 2020.

“Energy storage plays an increasingly important role in California’s clean energy future,” said Roy Kuga, PG&E vice president of grid integration and innovation. He noted that recent drops in battery prices make the technology cost competitive.

“As a result, we believe that battery energy storage will be even more significant in enhancing overall grid reliability, integrating renewables, and helping customers save energy and money,” Kuga added.

The CPUC gave PG&E approval to issue an accelerated solicitation for energy storage projects that would be able to address the local needs in northern Central Valley subareas.

PG&E issued its request for offers on Feb. 28. These four projects are the outcome of that offer. — Elizabeth McCarthy

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PG&E Lines Up Big & Small Battery Storage

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