Today, Southern Power announced it awarded Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. and Powin, LLC, for two utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. In fact, these projects will total 640-megawatt hours (MWh).
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Moreover, the projects will enhance California’s grid reliability. Indeed, the companies will do it through additional flexible resource capacity for integrating intermittent renewable energy into the grid.
Mitsubishi Power and Powin on partnering to deliver grid reliability in California
Southern Power announced today it awarded Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. and Powin, LLC an order for two new utility-scale battery energy storage system projects. Accordingly, these projects will total 640 MWh, and the company is looking to enhance California’s grid reliability.
Therefore, Mitsubishi Power and Powin will help Southern Power with an installation at the company’s Garland and Tranquillity Solar Facilities. Notably, to provide additional flexible resource capacity for integrating intermittent renewable energy into the grid.
In this sense, Geoff Brown, CEO of Powin, said, “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Mitsubishi Power. Also, to have been selected as a trusted partner by Southern Power to provide BESS over the long-term for the Garland and Tranquillity projects.
Therefore, “this award highlights the fact that large-scale solar PV paired with energy storage is cost-competitive. So, we applaud Southern Power for taking this step toward helping California meet its clean energy goals with energy storage.”
Indeed, the BESS projects are among the first collocated solar and storage projects in California. Besides, they represent some of the most extensive retrofits of solar and storage in North America to date.
A Change in Power
On the other hand, Tom Cornell, Senior Vice President of Mitsubishi Power’s NEXT, said, “Mitsubishi Power is excited to leverage our network of capabilities in the Americas and globally to bring low carbon solutions to Southern Power.
Hence, “these battery energy storage projects, which will use lithium iron phosphate technology, fit within our vision to provide short- and long-term energy storage solutions. Moreover, we are proud to provide an energy storage solution to enhance California’s electric power grid reliability. Thus, together with our customers and partners, we are creating a Change in Power.”
Furthermore, the projects are designed for a 20-year life cycle and four hours of energy storage duration.
Accordingly, Southern Power’s 205 megawatts (MW) Garland Solar Facility in Kern County will add 88 MW and 352 MWh of energy storage. Additionally, the company’s 204 MW Tranquillity Solar Facility in Fresno County will add 72 MW and 288 MWh.
In this sense, Southern Power expects both projects to come online in 2021.
AIP Management and Global Atlantic Financial Group will own in partnership the project. Therefore, Southern Power will be responsible for operating the solar projects upon completion.
Finally, these two energy storage projects align with the company’s growth strategy. In fact, this plan includes developing and acquiring projects covered by long-term contracts with solid credit counterparties.
