California legislators actively encourage technology that both enhance the reliability of the grid and promote use of renewable energy. These two goals, of course, go hand in hand.
Indeed, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) last year directed investor-owned utilities in the southern part of the state to fast track energy storage project, which are a vital element of such initiatives, according to Energy, Light & Power.
One product of this directive was that AES Energy Storage and SDG&E expedited the paperwork on two projects. The companies have completed a 30 MW storage facility in Escondido and a 7.5 MW facility in EL Cajon, both of which are in San Diego County.
The projects rely on 400,000 batteries in 20,000 modules in 24 containers. The larger of the two facilities can support 20,000 homes for four hours.
Yesterday, Energy Storage News posted an in-depth feature on what its editors identified as the key energy storage vendors. The piece provided some case studies. The heart of the piece, however, is profiles of Renewable Energy Systems Group (RES), AES, Younicos, NEC Energy Solutions, Greensmith Energy and S&C Electric.