Global energy storage technology firm Wartsila has announced the completion on a 125 MW / 250 MWh battery energy storage system in Calexico, California, made for REV Renewables, to help stabilize and decarbonize the electric grid.
The LeConte energy storage project is the company's second largest Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) project to date. The BESS was commissioned to enhance grid stability during the September 2022 heatwave.
According to Wartsila, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has confirmed in their Summer Performance Report for September 2022 that 2,000 MW of energy storage were dispatched to support the grid on September 5th during the most grid challenged period of the heat wave, helping California avoid widespread power outages.
The LeConte system was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in early 2022 as part of a plan to build 15,000 MW of new energy storage and demand response resources by 2032 to ensure long-term reliability and meet the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard.
The energy storage system for REV Renewables helps fulfil the resource adequacy obligations of California utilities and supports various ancillary efforts for CAISO, according to the ES supplier. The storage facility will also be used to follow the automatic generation control signal to maintain system frequency and perform peak day operations to relieve congestion on transmission lines from the abundance of solar photovoltaic resources in the area.
"Battery energy storage is a key component to maintaining reliability and stability of California's electricity grid," said Cody Hill, REV Renewables Senior Vice President, Battery Systems. "Wartsila worked with us to manage supply chain challenges, to collaborate with local communities and to perform site safety and training to bring this complex energy storage project online."
The project includes Wartsila's 'GridSolv Quantum', a fully integrated, modular and compact energy storage system, along with the company's energy management system GEMS Digital Energy Platform.
"We're pleased to be partnering with REV Renewables on our second largest EPC project, which will be instrumental for the state's decarbonization goals. Adding flexible generation such as energy storage to Southern California is significant as the area is important for stabilizing the supply of electricity on transmission lines between Mexico and California," said Andrew Tang, Vice President of Energy Storage and Optimization, Wartsila.
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The company claims that the GEMS Digital Energy Platform provides a critical safety feature by continuously monitoring to pinpoint and isolate any system malfunctions automatically. It will be maintained and optimized with 'Service+ solution', a suite of comprehensive lifecycle solutions applicable for energy storage systems including scheduled maintenance services and extended warranties.
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