SDG&E unveils 4 microgrid power storage websites, hoping to strengthen grid

San Diego Gasoline & Electrical Tuesday unveiled 4 new microgrids within the communities of Clairemont, Tierra Santa, Paradise and Boulevard, supposed to handle surging power calls for within the area.

The microgrids will function independently or in tandem with the bigger regional grid and supply a mixed storage capability of about 39 megawatts and 180 megawatt-hours, officers stated. The websites are designed to assist cope with excessive power demand, together with on scorching summer time days and peak night hours.

“Storage and microgrids are key to serving to construct a extra resilient electrical grid that may prolong the provision of cleaner power and assist our communities higher handle via grid emergencies like the acute warmth skilled in current summers,” SDG&E CEO Caroline Winn stated. “These microgrids will actively dispatch clear power to the grid when wanted and assist enhance power resiliency for important services like fireplace stations, colleges and cooling facilities in San Diego.”

The microgrids, which could be remotely operated, present real-time monitoring, quicker response to grid occasions, extra environment friendly power storage administration, and enhanced grid resilience, based on a press release from the San Diego-based utility firm.

The programs make the most of lithium iron phosphate battery cells and have security and fireplace prevention options.

“For communities like mine that always expertise outages throughout energy emergencies, we welcome infrastructure that can assist preserve our lights on and our fridges working throughout tough occasions,” San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas stated. “Enhancing our energy grid is a crucial first step in ensuring all communities have entry to primary sources throughout a disaster, particularly for our native colleges, fireplace stations and medical facilities.”

In December 2021, the California Public Utilities Fee granted the inexperienced gentle to SDG&E to maneuver ahead with the 4 websites. In line with the utility, these tasks had been set into movement in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s State Emergency Proclamation in the summertime of 2021.

These services will likely be linked to the state power market, permitting the California Impartial System Operator to dispatch sources as wanted to “assist keep a balanced provide and demand of power all through the state.”

The 4 new power storage websites

The power storage websites are:

— The Clairemont microgrid, which serves the Balboa Department Library/Cool Zone, Hearth Station 36, and native colleges comparable to Lafayette Elementary, Sequoia Elementary, Innovation and CPMA Center Faculties and Madison Excessive College;

— The Elliott Microgrid, which can generate 10MW and has the capability to energy Hearth Station 39, the Tierrasanta Public Library/Cool Zone, Tierrasanta Medical Middle, Jean Farb Center College, Canyon Hills Excessive College, and Tierrasanta and Kumeyaay Elementary Faculties;

— The Paradise Microgrid, which has the power to energy Hearth Stations 51 and 32, the Southeast Division Police Division, and Bell Center College in addition to Freese, Boone and Fulton Elementary; and

— The Boulevard microgrid, which serves the San Diego County Sheriff’s Division, Hearth Station 47, Campo Reservation Hearth Station, Cal Hearth White Star Station, Campo Tribal Workplace, Campo Kumeyaay Nation Medical Middle, Southern Indian Well being Council Campo Clinic, the Boulevard Border Patrol Station and the Boulevard Put up Workplace.