BWP ECOCampus Gets Boost to Solar Energy Storage System

Many wind and solar power plants have been constructed across the state in recent years, and they provide electricity at a cost that is competitive with other types of power generation. But the amount of electricity generated by renewable electric power plants usually declines during summer afternoons and evenings, just when customers need it most.

Batteries are an essential part of reducing the environmental impact of electricity generation by storing electricity generated by wind and solar facilities when it isn’t needed and then providing that electricity to customers when they need it.

BWP will be increasing its own reliance on solar energy next year when a new battery energy storage system will be installed at our EcoCampus. This system will capture electricity generated by solar panels at that facility whenever that power is not actively needed.

“This project is a big step forward to help meet our goal of having a greenhouse gas–free power supply by 2040.”

MANDIP SAMRA

Up to 12 hours, no capacity fade, no power fade

Lower cost than other technologies

<1 second response time

Easily sourced materials; recyclable components

The battery system we’ll be installing will be more environmentally friendly than the lithium-ion technology used in most utility battery storage systems today. Instead, our system will use iron-flow battery technology, which is safer and more sustainable.

BWP has signed a contract with leading iron-flow technology provider ESS Incorporated. To help offset the cost of the battery and installation, BWP secured a grant from the American Public Power Association Demonstration of Energy and Efficiency Development for $125,000. The battery is anticipated to be installed by December 2023.

“This project is a big step forward. It will help us meet our goal of having a greenhouse gas–free power supply by 2040 and will provide energy storage for Burbank now and for decades to come,” says Mandip Samra, Assistant General Manager for Power Supply at BWP.

“Although BWP is already using small-scale battery technology at our substations, this initiative will be the largest battery installed in Burbank, providing enough renewable power for 300 homes annually,” said Mandip. “We’re delighted to partner with ESS on this exciting new project to help us store solar energy to use during the super peak and nighttime hours.”

“This initiative will be the largest battery installed in Burbank, providing enough renewable power for 300 homes annually.”

Our selection of ESS’ technology followed a detailed technical assessment of battery energy storage systems, including evaluating the sustainability of the different technologies. Our storage system will be manufactured at the ESS facility in Oregon and then delivered to Burbank.

The ESS iron-flow battery system is anticipated to have a 25-year life cycle. It’s a long duration battery, meaning that it can store 6 to 12 hours of energy for use at a later time. The system will be installed in a container about the size of an 18-wheel tractor trailer.

The 75-kilowatt battery system, BWP’s first utility-scale system, will move us toward greater reliance on clean, non-emitting electricity. The iron-flow batteries will be able to store electricity longer than the lithium-ion batteries used by many other utilities, and this technology costs less than other types of battery storage systems.

FEATURES OF THE ESS IRON-FLOW BATTERY SYSTEM

75-kilowatt battery

25-year life cycle

Safe and non-toxic