Editor’s Note: In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, we will share updates throughout this week on a series of clean energy projects that we are developing. These projects represent some of the concrete steps that we are taking to deliver on our pledge to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Top Gun Energy Storage Helps to Advance 100% Renewable Energy Goal
As part of our commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, we are working to expand our energy storage capacity. Not only do utility-scale batteries help to enhance our region’s ability to maximize the use of solar energy, but they also help to strengthen grid reliability.
Batteries absorb electricity when it’s abundant on the grid and put the power back on the grid when it’s most needed, such as during the evening after the sun sets and solar energy fades away.
The Top Gun lithium-ion facility is expected to come online in June and become available for dispatch by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to meet energy demand as needed. The timing is excellent as this facility can help ease the strain on the grid should California again experiences an extended summer heatwave that drives up electricity demand to high levels.
Named In Honor of Storied Naval Aviation Program
The Top Gun facility has a capacity of 30MW/120MWh and can provide the energy equivalent for serving 20,000 residential customers for four hours. It is one of three energy storage projects that we are adding to the grid over the next year.
Top Gun is so named because it is located near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, former home of the Top Gun naval aviation training program.
Our company is an early adopter of energy storage technology. In 2017, we unveiled what was then the largest lithium-ion battery (30MW/120MWh) in the world in Escondido. Currently, we own and operate 13 energy storage projects, totaling about 45MW of storage capacity. We expect to have a total of 135MW of utility-owned energy storage connected to the local grid by 2022.