Mitsubishi Power, Powin Power to provide BESS projects in California

Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc., and Powin LLC have been awarded an order for two utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects totaling 640 MWh by Southern Power.

The two BESS projects are intended to improve California's grid reliability by offering additional flexible resource capacity for integrating intermittent renewable energy into the grid.

"This award highlights the fact that large-scale solar PV paired with energy storage is cost-competitive. We applaud Southern Power for taking this step toward helping California meet its clean energy goals with energy storage," said Geoff Brown, CEO of Powin Power.

According to Mitsubishi Power, the BESS projects are among the first collocated solar and storage projects in California and represent some of the largest retrofits of solar and storage in North America to date.

Both the projects are designed for a 20-year lifecycle and four hours of energy storage duration. Southern Power's 205 MW Garland Solar Facility in Kern County will add 88 MW and 352 MWh of energy storage, and its 204 MW Tranquillity Solar Facility in Fresno County will add 72 MW and 288 MWh.

These two energy storage projects will deliver BESS projects for the long term which aligns well with Southern Power's growth strategy of developing and acquiring projects covered by long-term contracts with strong credit counterparties.

"These battery energy storage projects, which will use lithium iron phosphate technology, fit within our vision to provide short- and long-term energy storage solutions that include lithium-ion, hydrogen, and other emerging storage technologies," said Tom Cornell, Senior Vice President of Mitsubishi Power's NEXT. 

"Together with our customers and partners, we are creating a change in power."

As per Mitsubishi, the two energy storage projects will be owned in partnership with AIP Management and Global Atlantic Financial Group, both of which have existing ownership interests in the Garland and Tranquillity solar facilities that went into commercial operation in 2016. Southern Power currently operates the solar projects and will also be responsible for operating the energy storage projects upon completion.

Both the energy storage projects are scheduled to come online in 2021.