San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced the approval by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for the major expansion of its Westside Canal Battery Energy Storage facility in California’s Imperial Valley. The expansion will add 100 MW of capacity, bringing the total energy storage to 231 MW. It will come into service by June 2025.

Raising Energy Resiliency for California Communities

Caroline Winn, CEO of SDG&E, said, “By increasing storage capacity, we can allow more clean energy to be efficiently stored and dispatched when it’s needed most, helping to create a more resilient and sustainable grid for our communities”

This facility is part of SDG&E’s plan to grow its battery storage portfolio to 480 MW and 1.9 GWh by 2025.

Cost Savings and Energy Affordability

One of the most important advantages of the Westside Canal expansion project is that it can assist in keeping energy prices lower for consumers. For the second year running, SDG&E lowered household bills, partly due to federal tax credits on infrastructure expenditures. The company paid back $200 million worth of federal tax credits to customers after it finished several battery storage projects, including Westside Canal.

The growth will also introduce four critical services for enhancing grid stability and efficiency. Services like generation capacity, energy balancing, and congestion management will ensure a more stable and efficient power supply.

Also read: Clearway Energy secures funding and begins construction on California solar and battery storage projects

Key Contributions to Grid Stability and Efficiency

The new Westside Canal facility, expanded in size, will provide peak power backup, ensuring adequate power when it is most needed. It will also offer ancillary services like frequency regulation and voltage control to support grid stability. The facility will also hold excess energy during low-demand hours and release it when demand is high, hence maximizing energy consumption and stabilizing power prices.

The facility will also make power flow more efficient and reduce congestion by taking up energy close to generation points and discharging it when congestion in transmission lines is reduced, thereby leading to a more efficient and reliable network.

Safety commitment by SDG&E is an utmost concern for the expansion project. The facility will have UL/NFPA compliance standards along with leading-edge safety features such as emergency stops, lockable disconnects, and lightning protection. SDG&E is also collaborating closely with local first responders and following established safety practices in energy storage.

Ørsted has completed the first phase of its Bahren West onshore wind farm in Germany, its largest onshore wind farm in Germany. With a combined capacity of 50.4 MW, Bahren West I will produce enough power to supply approximately 35,000 German households.

The firm is now gearing up for the second phase of the project, Bahren West II, which will begin construction in May 2025. The phase will provide an additional 61.6 MW of wind energy capacity, with the project due for completion by 2027.

Germany’s Renewable Energy Future Compliance

The Bahren West projects show Ørsted’s continued commitment to spearheading the energy transition in Germany. Ørsted continues to build its onshore wind business in Germany, helping to advance Germany’s renewable energy ambitions.

Stefan Bachmaier, Managing Director of Ørsted Onshore Germany, said, “We’re delighted to be able to announce the operation of Bahren West I and the imminent start of construction of Bahren West II at the same time.The two projects are significant milestones for Ørsted’s onshore wind ambitions in Germany. With Bahren West, we’re not only making a strong contribution to Germany’s renewable energy targets, but also reaffirming our commitment to providing renewable, reliable, and sustainable energy.”

Also read: Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure Complete Gode Wind 3 Offshore Wind Farm in Germany

St. Wendel Wind Farm Set to Launch

In addition to the Bahren West developments, Ørsted is also preparing to commission the 16.8 MW St. Wendel onshore wind farm later this year. The St. Wendel project will further bolster the company’s onshore wind capacity in Germany, demonstrating Ørsted’s expanding footprint in the region.

With a total onshore wind power capacity of around 3.8 GW installed worldwide, Ørsted is still leading the way in renewable energy. The Bahren West wind farms, situated on the German-Polish border in Brandenburg’s Neiße-Malxetal municipality, are a key component of Ørsted’s global mission to sustainable energy solutions