Energy Storage

The suggestion of additional investments beyond the $1.6 billion follows reports of battery cell shortages as Tesla’s Model 3 picks up production. It is unknown what impacts this will have on Tesla’s stationary storage business.

PG&E is seeking approval from California regulators for four energy storage projects totalling 567 MW / 2.27 GWh – including a 300 MW / 1200 MWh system by Vistra Energy, and a 182.5 MW / 730 MWh system by Tesla.

The City of Albuquerque has revealed details of the first phase of $25 million in solar power investments, as part of its goal to bring the city to 25% renewables. The first 12 projects are on local structures including fire and police stations, increasing resilience.

The latest ambitious goal in America’s most renewable-aggressive state is the first to focus strictly on solar.

Vistra Energy plans to add a 10 MW / 42 MWh lithium-ion battery to the 180 MW-AC Upton County Solar 2 solar power plant. The energy storage project is scheduled to come online in Q4 2018.

Part 2 looks at presentations by Fluence and NREL, which outline the market opportunities present both today and in the future.

Presentations by Duke Energy, NREL, Fluence, GE and the EIA itself showed that energy storage is becoming a fact on the ground.

Xcel Energy’s 120-day report to Colorado regulators includes an additional 1.1 GW of wind at 1.1-1.8¢/kWh. Solar power bids have come in at 2.2-2.7¢/kWh, and solar+storage at 3.0-3.2¢/kWh.

San Diego Gas & Electric has received approval by the CPUC for five energy storage projects totaling 83.5 MW of instantaneous power output, with a four hour rating.

NV Energy, owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, has signed contracts to purchase electricity from six solar projects totaling 1,001 MW-AC along with 100 MW / 400 MWh of energy storage.