Large-scale energy storage
Battery-based Grid Energy Storage System
Tehachapi Energy Storage Project (TSP) is a lithium-ion battery-based grid energy storage system at the Monolith Substation of Southern California Edison (SCE) in Tehachapi, California. Located in a valley 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles within the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area, the project could supply 32 megawatt-hours of electrical energy and 8 megawatts of power for 4 continuous hours that could power between 1,600 and 2,400 homes.
At the time of commissioning in 2014, it was the largest lithium-ion battery system operating in North America and one of the largest in the world and is today considered to be a modern-day energy storage pioneer.
Challenge
Demonstrate the performance of lithium-ion batteries used to store power from hundreds of wind turbines under real-world conditions.
Solution
System models, RTDs and simulations. PowerStore Battery (8MW / 32MWh), eMesh Control System
Results
Battery energy storage system for wind and solar energy sources which can later be dispatched onto the grid when customers need and use it most.
Transforming the Battery Storage Industry
The Tehachapi project transformed the lithium-ion battery storage industry by propelling the development of commercial products, and contributed to the integration of renewable and storage-based resources on California's grid. The project assessed the capability and effectiveness of storage to support 13 operational applications.
Pioneering the battery storage industry
Key Benefits
- Establish smart grid program.
- Assess the capability and effectiveness of storage to support 13 operational applications
- Sufficient to power between 1,600 and 2,400 homes for four hours.
- In 2020, SCE reported that TSP operated in the wholesale energy market with revenue exceeding operating and maintenance costs.
Integration of renewable energy and storage with California's grid
Delivering revenue
In 2020, Southern California Edison reported that the Tehachapi Energy Storage Project operated in the wholesale energy market with revenue exceeding operating and maintenance costs.