Unlike conventional storage systems, such as pumped hydro storage, batteries have the advantage of geographical and sizing flexibility and can therefore be deployed closer to the location where the additional flexibility is needed and can be easily scaled.
Witnessing the flexibility and the ability to be scaled at a faster pace, a battery storage facility near Monterey Bay in California, has completed another expansion. Yes, we are talking about Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility, owned by Vistra Crop.
Phase I of the 300 MW /1,200 megawatt-hours lithium-ion battery storage project was successfully completed and began operations in December 2020. Whereas, Phase II added an additional 100 MW of capacity bringing it to the total capacity of 400 megawatts/1,600 megawatt-hours, thus making it the largest of its kind in the World. The construction of Phase-II was completed somewhere in August 2021.
Battery storage systems have emerged as one of the potential solutions to increase system flexibility, due to their unique capability to quickly absorb, hold, and then release electricity. Keeping that in mind, the company announced another expansion of the project.
Now the developing company has entered into an agreement for a new 350-MW/1,400-MWh battery system. This would complement the existing 400 MW/1,600 MWh of energy storage capacity already at the site, bringing the site’s total to 750 MW of 4-hour lithium energy storage (3,000 MWh).
Pending the receipt of CPUC approval, the company anticipates construction on Phase-III of the project will commence in May 2022 and will begin commercial operations prior to June 2023.
The Moss Landing Power Plant, which was earlier at a natural gas power plant is now helping to provide flexible and carbon-free power to a part of the California grid that sometimes struggles with reliability. “California leads the country in the transition away from fossil fuels and the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility stands as a model for how batteries can support intermittent renewables to help create a reliable grid of the future.” Curt Morgan, CEO Vistra.
Morgan also has highlighted how batteries work well with intermittent energy sources like wind and solar by storing electricity during times when the supply exceeds demand and then discharging it at times when demand is high, but the sun may not be shining, and the wind may not be blowing.
Morgan continued, “With this planned expansion, we are moving the Moss Landing site closer to its full potential. With additional phases, this project could eventually reach 1,500 MW – enough to power approximately 1.125 million homes across the state of California with emission-free electricity. Moss Landing site is a shining example of the pivot of our generation fleet toward carbon-free technologies.”
This growth has been made into reality because of a confluence of factors: Battery costs have tumbled, and government policies are encouraging development. Batteries are well-suited to work alongside solar and wind energy. These signs are pointing toward an unprecedented increase in energy storage in the coming months, moving us closer to achieving our carbon-free grid by 2045.
Should You Install Solar Energy Storage?
There are a lot of variables that will determine whether an energy storage system is a good fit for your home/business. While prices have been steadily decreasing over the last several years, still energy storage system takes a bigger share in your solar project cost. But with natural disasters growing in frequency, many homeowners and business owners simply want the energy reliability that comes with a battery storage system.
Call Staten Solar for all your Solar + Storage-related needs. We will walk you through several options so you can choose what truly works best for you. Dial +1 (408) 780-2889
