Californian utility San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is planning a four-year vanadium redox flow (VRF) battery storage pilot project with Japan’s electronics manufacturer Sumitomo Electric (SEI).
The 2MW VRF battery storage system will be used to store solar energy sufficient to power up 1,000 households for up to four hours, according to SDG&E.
SDG&E claimed the system will have a 20-year lifespan with less degradation over repeateded charging. Voltage frequency, power outage support, and shifting energy demand will be tested by SDG&E later.
Caroline Winn, SDG&E’s Chief Operating Officer said: “This pilot will advance our understanding of how this flow battery technology can help us increase the reliable delivery of clean energy to our customers and align with state and local carbon emission reduction goals.”
“We are delighted to see our first flow battery system operating in the US,” said Junji Itoh, Managing Director of SEI.
“Through the multiple-use operation of the battery system in SDG&E’s distribution network, we would like to prove its economic value and potential use on the electric grids,” Itoh added.
The colaboration came about from a partnership between Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Development Organization (NEDO) and the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
SDG&E just unveiled a 30MW lithium-ion battery energy storage facility in partnership with US company AES Energy Storage in the early March.
The 129MW/h battery energy storage system will store renewable energy for use in peak shifting and grid frequency applications.