U.S. utility-scale battery storage power capacity to grow substantially by 2023

[thackney]

U.S. utility-scale battery storage power capacity to grow substantially by 2023
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=40072
JULY 10, 2019



Utility-scale battery storage units (units of one megawatt (MW) or greater power capacity) are a newer electric power resource, and their use has been growing in recent years. Operating utility-scale battery storage power capacity has more than quadrupled from the end of 2014 (214 MW) through March 2019 (899 MW). Assuming currently planned additions are completed and no current operating capacity is retired, utility-scale battery storage power capacity could exceed 2,500 MW by 2023.

EIA's Annual Electric Generator Report (Form EIA-860) collects data on the status of existing utility-scale battery storage units in the United States, along with proposed utility-scale battery storage projects scheduled for initial commercial operation within the next five years. The monthly version of this survey, the Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory (Form EIA-860M), collects the updated status of any projects scheduled to come online within the next 12 months.

Growth in utility-scale battery installations is the result of supportive state-level energy storage policies and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order 841 that directs power system operators to allow utility-scale battery systems to engage in their wholesale energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets. In addition, pairing utility-scale battery storage with intermittent renewable resources, such as wind and solar, has become increasingly competitive compared with traditional generation options.

The two largest operating utility-scale battery storage sites in the United States as of March 2019 provide 40 MW of power capacity each: the Golden Valley Electric Association’s battery energy storage system in Alaska and the Vista Energy storage system in California. In the United States, 16 operating battery storage sites have an installed power capacity of 20 MW or greater. Of the 899 MW of installed operating battery storage reported by states as of March 2019, California, Illinois, and Texas account for a little less than half of that storage capacity.



In the first quarter of 2019, 60 MW of utility-scale battery storage power capacity came online, and an additional 108 MW of installed capacity will likely become operational by the end of the year. Of these planned 2019 installations, the largest is the Top Gun Energy Storage facility in California with 30 MW of installed capacity.

As of March 2019, the total utility-scale battery storage power capacity planned to come online through 2023 is 1,623 MW. If these planned facilities come online as scheduled, total U.S. utility-scale battery storage power capacity would nearly triple by the end of 2023. Additional capacity beyond what has already been reported may also be added as future operational dates approach.

Of all planned battery storage projects reported on Form EIA-860M, the largest two sites account for 725 MW and are planned to start commercial operation in 2021. The largest of these planned sites is the Manatee Solar Energy Center in Parrish, Florida. With a capacity of 409 MW, this project will be the largest solar-powered battery system in the world and will store energy from a nearby Florida Power and Light solar plant in Manatee County.

The second-largest planned utility-scale battery storage facility is the Helix Ravenswood facility located in Queens, New York. The site is planned to be developed in three stages and will have a total capacity of 316 MW.

[thackney]

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
https://www.gvea.com/energy/bess

Completed in December 2003, the BESS is one of GVEA's initiatives to improve the reliability of service to GVEA members. In the event of a generation- or transmission-related outage, it can provide 25 megawatts of power for 15 minutes. That's enough time for the co-op to start up local generation when there are problems with the Intertie or power plants in Anchorage or Fairbanks.

One of the requirements for construction of the Intertie was a reactive power supply capable of delivering power, should generation fail. As shown below, the BESS has been meeting those needs.

Here's how the BESS works:  When GVEA brings power up the Intertie from Anchorage utilities and one of their generators loses power, some of our members experience an outage. The same happens if we lose one of our own generators. But with the BESS, we can cover 25 megawatts of power instantly. This gives GVEA time to start up local generation, resulting in fewer outages. In 2018, the BESS responded to 59 events, preventing a total of 309,009 member outages....

[Elderberry]

I wonder what size, and how many inverters they use to bring up and supply 25 MW. They sure put my 1/2 to 3kw inverters I have to shame.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Of course they are growing in capacity.  Like renewables, they receive substantial federal tax credits on the backs of taxpayers if they receive certain amounts from renewable sources. As well as state tax credits .

These are not necessarily economically viable unless they receive subsidies from taxpayers.

Feds are even attempting to increase the subsidies.

So the renewables racket continues.

[Bigun]

Of course they are growing in capacity.  Like renewables, they receive substantial federal tax credits on the backs of taxpayers if they receive certain amounts from renewable sources. As well as state tax credits .

These are not necessarily economically viable unless they receive subsidies from taxpayers.

Feds are even attempting to increase the subsidies.

So the renewables racket continues.

And for what exactly???  Beyond providing yet more conduits for public funds to find their way into private, well-connected pockets, I mean.

[thackney]

I wonder what size, and how many inverters they use to bring up and supply 25 MW. They sure put my 1/2 to 3kw inverters I have to shame.

Case note
World’s Largest Battery Energy Storage System
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

https://library.e.abb.com/public/3c4e15816e4a7bf1c12578d100500565/Case_Note_BESS_GVEA_Fairbanks-web.pdf