According to foreign media reports, long-term energy storage system supplier ESS recently announced that the company has delivered six long-term energy storage systems with a total storage capacity of 3MWh to California power supplier Sacramento Municipal Utilities Company (SMUD).
These six energy storage systems are among the first energy storage projects to be delivered in a broader agreement announced by ESS company last year. According to this agreement, ESS company will provide SMUD with up to 200MW/2GWh iron flow battery energy storage system. The company estimates that these energy storage systems will reduce carbon emissions by 284000 tons per year.
Lora Anguay, Chief Zero Carbon Officer of SMUD, stated that the duration of 10 to 12 hours is an important factor in SMUD's adoption of an iron flow battery energy storage system. She added, "It does supplement the renewable energy power generation facilities that SMUD is considering developing, including utility scale solar farms and user side solar power generation facilities
SMUD has set a goal of providing fully carbon neutral electricity by 2030, 15 years ahead of California's goal of achieving 100% zero carbon electricity by 2045. The company included this commitment in the climate emergency declaration approved in mid-2020. SMUD also reached an agreement with ESS to deploy a long-term energy storage system in this year.
Anguay stated that the first energy storage system delivered by ESS company has been installed and connected to the system of SMUD company's training facility. Now, the company will focus on integrating these energy storage systems into its clean energy portfolio. Once these energy storage systems are put into use, the company will also provide training to employees on grid operation and battery energy storage system scheduling.
SMUD plans to fully put these battery energy storage systems into use before this autumn. According to the agreement signed between the company and ESS, the next batch of battery energy storage systems is expected to be delivered by the end of next year.
Hugh McDermott, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Sales at ESS, stated that ferroelectric flow battery technology provides certain advantages for power suppliers, including safety aspects.
Therefore, all the perceptions and risks related to the safety of lithium-ion batteries do not truly apply to our case, "he said
In terms of duration, the current optimal duration of this energy storage technology is approximately 8 to 12 hours.
McDermott stated that although various trends such as mitigating the impact of climate change, the adoption of renewable energy, and the development of electrification are driving the demand for long-term energy solutions, the US government still has more work to do in providing appropriate compensation for these energy assets.
He pointed out that even in California, where long-term energy storage needs are widely recognized, there is still a need for companies like SMUD and private investment groups building and operating these projects to undergo some market reforms or provide incentives to better or more appropriately compensate for long-term energy storage systems
He added that California is now a resource rich market, with most battery storage systems operating for a duration of 4 hours. However, for some users, the return on investing in an 8-hour battery storage system is not high enough. At least for new technologies and large-scale production that are still in the early stages of innovation.
ESS and SMUD also plan to establish a "Center of Excellence" in energy storage manufacturing in Sacramento, which will collaborate with educational institutions in the region to provide labor training.
Source: China Energy Storage Network