Many analysts have predicted the physical need for longer-term grid storage as more and more of a region’s electricity comes from wind and solar power. Few regions have developed workable market structures to get ahead of that need, since today’s power markets focus on short-term optimization rather than long-term infrastructure planning.
California, though, has supplemented its power markets with a centrally driven push for long-duration storage. The state’s utility regulator required power providers to procure a collective 1 gigawatt of storage that lasts for eight or more hours. That order prompted Central Coast Community Energy to sign the deal with Hydrostor.
In September, the California Public Utilities Commission recommended a portfolio including 10 gigawatts of eight-hour storage for 2031, as part of the state’s planning for its transition to 100% clean electricity. That means a procurement order could come soon, and Hydrostor, with its permits in order, would be in position to compete for that.
“They’ve identified the need for very near-term procurement, so we’re looking forward to participating in that,” Norman said. “We also know that we’re very competitive.”
He also said it’s “very likely” that Hydrostor breaks ground this year.
That would kick off an estimated four-to-five-year construction timeline, Norman said. The company has created a “pretty sophisticated Joshua tree management plan” to protect the alien-looking vegetation unique to the Mojave, where it will build the project. It also secured a water supply and place to deposit the rock it carves from the earth, and it is currently finalizing an engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, Norman said.
That timeline should put Willow Rock in a good place to help California meet those medium-term storage needs. Given current trends, in five or so years the state will be even more awash in surplus solar generation at midday, and in even greater need of on-demand energy to keep the lights on after the sun sets.
In other words, if the regulator’s numbers are right, California will need many more Willow Rocks to keep up, so it’s about time one of them got going.
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Great Job Julian Spector & the Team @ Canary Media Source link for sharing this story.
