Clearway Energy has started commercial operations at a new solar plus storage project in San Bernardino County, California. The Daggett solar plus storage project comprises a 482 MW solar farm and a 280 MW battery energy storage facility.
Furthermore, a total of 181,000 households will receive clean energy from the project. In order to maintain grid dependability, energy stored can be used during periods of high demand. In the course of construction, about 500 jobs have been generated. The equipment firm Wärtsilä, located in Finland, provided the battery storage system.
Reportedly, the Daggett complex will be constructed in three sections. The final portion of the 113.5 MW of battery storage will go live in 2025. The storage facility will have a 394 MW overall capacity. This capacity will be allocated to a utility offtaker after it is finished. The project will generate $18.5 million in local tax income, with a $5 million yearly operating budget. During the operations phase, over a dozen full-time employment will be generated.
Moreover, six local utilities—the Clean Power Alliance, Constellation, East Bay Community Energy (which will become Ava Community Energy), MCE, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and the Southern California Public Power Authority—will receive power from the project.
REGlobal’s Views: The project is located adjacent to a decommissioned coal-fired power plant and is a clear example of clean energy transition. The US, especially states like California and Texas, are witnessing a huge uptake of storage projects to manage grid stability issues owing to high renewable energy penetration.
