Calpine and GE Renewable Energy complete Santa Ana storage project in Southern California

Santa Ana – Calpine and GE Renewable Energy announced today the completion of the Santa Ana Storage Project (SASP) in Southern California. The project contains a 20 MW/80 MWh (4hr) standalone battery energy storage system using GE’s Reservoir energy storage technology. The system, now in commercial operations, is supported by a 20-year Resource Adequacy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The project will be able to provide energy to up to 12,000 households during peak events, and/or 24,000 households during normal load conditions.

This grid-connected battery energy storage system represents a major step forward in Calpine’s plans to grow the company’s energy storage footprint. The SASP facility itself will be capable of considerable expansion in future phases.

Alex Makler, Senior Vice President West Region of Calpine, said: “It is critical that consumers have affordable, reliable electricity as we work to integrate more renewable energy sources into the U.S. power supply. Calpine already operates the world’s largest geothermal facility in California, and this cutting-edge battery storage project represents another major investment in meeting the clean energy demands of an increasingly electrified world. We are proud to work with GE and the community of Santa Ana to showcase the very latest in energy storage solutions.”

Mike Bowman, Renewable Hybrids Chief Technology Officer, GE Renewable Energy, said: “The energy storage system provides targeted local capacity to enhance grid reliability during peak periods. And, as fast-acting stabilization devices, the battery energy storage systems can charge and discharge rapidly to regulate frequency and contribute to grid stability, helping to balance and facilitate the ever-growing penetration of variable renewable energy. These assets will assist with making California’s state targets of 60% by 2030 & 100% by 2045.”

GE’s Battery Energy Storage solution is a flexible, compact solution that combines GE’s advanced technologies and expertise in plant controls, power electronics, battery management systems and electrical balance of plant – all backed by GE’s performance guarantees.