Solar, Wind Energy Storage May Save Both Power and Money

Large-scale energy storage, which is especially useful for incorporating significant amounts of variable solar- and wind-generated electricity into utility grid systems, is becoming a hot topic.

Projects in several states are examining a variety of energy storage technologies under development by private companies. Among them are:

• In New York state, Beacon Power Co. is developing a 20-megawatt project that uses flywheel technology to store electricity.

• In Minnesota, the company Xcel Energy has reported success with a 1-megawatt battery storage system it is testing.

• In Wisconsin, President Obama recently visited a small company called ZBB Energy that plans to add workers as it develops large-format batteries that the company says will allow inexpensive, cost-effective storage of solar and wind energy.

• In California, the mayor of Los Angeles recently announced that the city's municipal utility would work with one of China's largest companies, BYD, to develop a 5- to 10-megawatt renewable-energy storage station in the mountains about 100 miles north of the city.

Throughout the country, as utilities increasingly offer time-of-use rates, owners of residential or business solar photovoltaic systems may be able to take advantage of a similar approach by producing more electricity than they use at high-priced peak times and limiting most of their own usage to lower-priced off-peak hours. Similarly advantageous time-based pricing plans may be available to owners of plug-in vehicles.

The California Public Utilities Commission sees large-scale energy storage as a possible alternative to building more generation capacity to meet peak demand, Mr. Nelson adds, and the CPUC oversees Self-Generation Incentive Program grant funding for installations associated with fuel cells.

Also exploring renewable-energy storage is Los Angeles, which recently announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a giant battery storage station for electricity generated from wind and solar resources.

The agreement "is an important step forward in building technology that does not even exist yet that will revolutionize how utilities across the country store their renewable energy," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.

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California Enacts Energy Storage Law to Help Prepare for More Solar, Wind

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a law believed to be the first in the country requiring utilities to begin planning for ways to store electricity that could be dispatched as needed.

The measure, opposed at various stages by many private and public electricity providers, is considered to be an important step in preparing for the future integration of large amounts of solar and wind energy into the state's electricity grid.

The new law, Assembly Bill 2514, requires the California Public Utilities Commission to begin proceedings by March 1, 2012, to consider targets for all but very small electricity providers to procure "viable and cost-effective energy storage systems."

Private electric companies would have to adopt a procurement target by Oct. 1, 2013, and reach a first-stage goal by Dec. 3, 2015. A second goal for storage achievement would be set for Dec. 31, 2020.

Publicly owned utilities would have to set a target by Oct. 1, 2014, and reach a first-stage goal by Dec. 31, 2016. They are to be given a second-stage goal to be achieved by Dec. 31, 2021.

As a legislative analysis of the new law mentioned, however, at present "there are no commercially available batteries that could cost-effectively store the large amounts of electricity that can be produced by large-scale wind farms or solar facilities. Another form of electricity storage that is already in use in California is pump storage, where water is pumped into a reservoir at night and then released through turbines during the day to produce electricity. Additional research is taking place to develop other storage devices using compressed air, flywheels, fuel cells, and other innovative technologies. In addition, the utilities are currently engaged in pilot projects to determine the viability of different energy storage projects and which technologies perform most effectively in different environments."

The China-based battery and electric-vehicle company BYD has been a leader in developing battery storage for solar and wind energy, and the company recently announced an agreement to work with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to develop a utility-scale storage facility with a capacity of 5 to 10 megawatts.

The storage center, believed to be the largest currently planned in the United States, would be built at the Pine Tree Wind Farm in the Tehachapi Mountains, a renowned wind resource region where extensive wind energy development is now getting under way.

BYD also has been working with the homebuilder KB Home to set up model homes in the city of Lancaster, Calif., that combine battery storage of electricity with solar arrays and electric vehicles. BYD, one of China's largest employers, this year announced that it would establish its North American headquarters in Los Angeles.

The news release from the attorney general's office said, "Energy storage is important for an expanding renewable energy future because solar and wind power are not available at all times. Increasing storage allows California to take greater advantage of its renewable resources while making our electric power grid more reliable.

"Expanded storage will also protect public health by reducing the need for the most polluting 'peaker plants' that only operate during peak demand, usually during the summer when air conditioners in the state are in most intense use."

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Recent Power Storage Deals:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and BYD Partner for Grid Energy Storage Solution (LADWP)
Spain Endesa signs cooperation agreement with BYD (Endesa)
BYD signs power storage station contracts (with China Southern Power Grid)
BYD unveils initiatives to spotlight new energy drive (with Hunan Power Grid)