Gas-Fired Peaker Plants in California are Adding Energy Storage to their Facilities

Four natural gas-fired plants in California will co-locate 420 MWh of storage from a North Carolina-based company that offers battery energy storage and software solutions.

(Photo : by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)

Installing Storage

On January 17, Durham-based FlexGen Power Systems announced that Chicago, Illinois-based Middle River Power (MRP) would get energy storage from the firm. According to UCS, to manage and run the power production assets that Avenue Capital had purchased and developed via Avenue's managed investment funds, MRP was established in 2016.

Energy storage will be installed beside the California projects' simple cycle gas-fired peaking facilities. The facilities' link to the state's electricity grid will be shared. According to FlexGen, the batteries would be utilized to store extra solar energy produced during the day so that they could be used to meet the demand for electricity at night and in the evening.

Yann Brandt, chief commercial officer at FlexGen, said that the plants supplied clean, peaking electricity to the California grid. When there is an excess of energy, it is collected and released during peak periods. Batteries are the key to a shifting electrical system because of their flexibility in storing energy when required. This investment has given Californians a cleaner, more durable infrastructure.

The identities of the four gas-fired power stations were only recently discovered. Several gas-fueled peaker facilities in California are part of MRP's portfolio.

Also Read: Climate Scientist Calls Fossil Fuel Companies to be Held Accountable for Years of Careless Emission

Why California is Taking it a Step Forward

"California has been a worldwide pioneer in advancing the transition to renewable energy. This collection of cutting-edge projects represents another significant step in supplying the state with a dependable system based on clean energy. According to Kelcy Pegler, CEO of FlexGen, "We're pleased to be working with Middle River Power to provide greater grid stability and service to Californians and companies," as per Power Mag. The future of the grid depends on energy storage, and FlexGen has spent the past ten years improving its capacity to provide vital energy storage assets to its partners.

According to FlexGen, the gas turbines will deploy far less often than they do now, resulting in fewer emissions while still being accessible for dispatch in severe circumstances. The projects will use FlexGen's HybridOS software platform, which will allow the trading of ancillary services, capacity, and the energy market.

A More Renewable Future

Mark Kubow, president of Middle River Power, stated, "We're excited to collaborate with FlexGen to bring these innovative projects to life, integrating extra renewable energy while creating a robust grid."

More than 3 GW of generating capacity is being produced or managed by MRP in the United States. These resources include solar, geothermal, natural gas, and coal power plants in California, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.