Focus

California faces summer blackouts from climate extremes

Scientific American – May 23

For the next five summers, available electricity supplies might not be able to keep up with demand if heat waves hit, droughts make hydropower less available, or wildfires reduce electricity transmission, California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission staff advised agency leaders last Friday. The presentation was the first to give an in-depth look at potential gaps between electricity supply and peak demand beyond this coming summer, with analyses that also cover the summers of 2023 through 2026.

News

CPUC approves utility SCE’s fast-tracked 500 MW BESS projects

Energy Storage News – May 24

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved 497 MW of energy storage procured by utility Southern California Edison (SCE) to come online from August 2023 through June 2024. The five standalone lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects will contribute to SCE’s portion of the 11,500 MW of clean energy capacity that the CPUC last summer ordered the state’s three big investor-owned utilities to procure for delivery between 2023 and 2026.

ACP: Solar Installations grew 11%, energy storage over 173% in Q1 2022

Solar Industry Magazine – May 24

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) has released its Clean Power Market Report for the first quarter of 2022, showing that the wind, utility-scale solar, and battery storage sectors installed 6,619 MW of utility-scale clean power capacity during that period – enough to power 1.4 million American homes. The record capacity is largely due to gains in battery storage installation, with storage installations up 173%, solar installations up 11%, and wind installations down 3%, as compared to the first quarter of 2021.

Projects

EV charging network will be powered by 75 MW solar project in San Bernardino County

Solar Power World – May 18

Electrify America, a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, has entered into a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement with Terra-Gen to build a solar project in San Bernardino County. The 75 MW Electrify America Solar Glow 1 project is expected to produce enough renewable energy annually to offset the energy currently delivered to Electrify America’s customers charging on its network.

National Guard breaks ground on Los Alamitos solar microgrid

Los Angeles Times – May 23

On May 19, National Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 99-acre solar energy microgrid and storage project at Los Alamitos that would provide more than enough power to keep the base running for weeks after a major earthquake or other major disaster. The microgrid is expected to come online next summer as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power completes dismantling the natural gas-powered Haynes Generating Station in Long Beach.

Washington state council approves using agricultural land for 240+ turbine wind farm

Tri-City Herald – May 20

A Washington state council has found that the 24-mile ridge line of Horse Heaven Hills south of the Tri-Cities is an appropriate place for a wind farm. Benton County had argued that the site is not consistent with its comprehensive plan’s agricultural zone because it would not preserve and protect prime agricultural land. The project would have up to 244 wind turbines plus solar arrays on nearly 6,900 acres of leased agricultural land, or about 1.1% of the county’s land. The project is still under environmental review.

Solar power finds floating home in Healdsburg along Russian Rivers

ABC 7 – May 18

Healdsburg Utility Director Terry Crowley and wastewater manager Rob Scates are showing off what's believed to be the largest floating solar farm in the country, located along the Russian River. The panels are anchored on the surface of two ponds at the city's wastewater treatment facility, and supply roughly 8% of the city's electrical needs.

Vistra powers up 260 MW/260 MWh battery in Texas

Renewables Now – May 24

Vistra on Monday announced the commissioning of its 260 MW/260 MWh DeCordova battery energy storage system in Texas. Touted as the largest one of its kind in the state, the facility is part of a larger portfolio of solar and battery systems that Vistra plans to bring online in Texas under an almost $1 billion investment plan.

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