AES Corporation has started construction of a 400 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system for its Alamitos Energy Center in Long Beach, California.
The plant is part of a larger modernisation and replacement project of the existing AES Alamitos generating station.
It will provide electricity to Southern California Edison (SCE) customers and will help the state meet its target of 100% clean energy by 2045.
The energy storage system will include Fluence Advancion 5 batteries and control systems and when fully charged, the batteries will be able to supply power to tens of thousands of homes in milliseconds, AES said.
The Alamitos facility was procured specifically to provide power at times of peak demand, but will also support grid modernisation, increase the integration of renewable energy, and lower costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
AES Southland president Ken Zagzebski said: “We’re constructing a state-of-the-art energy storage system with Fluence that will help the state integrate more renewable power, employ the highest efficiency technology and focus on energy performance for SCE and its customers.”
Fluence chief operating officer John Zahurancik said: “Alamitos energy storage will stand as the first of a new generation of energy storage procured as stand-alone alternatives to new gas plants.
“Its size, flexibility and long duration stand as a benchmark, and showcase energy storage as a mainstream option for peaking power and grid support.”
Fluence is a joint venture between Siemens and AES.