RWE, a leading energy company, has successfully connected its utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) to the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
This milestone project, known as Fifth Standard, encompasses a 150-megawatt (MWac) solar PV facility, slated for completion in August. Positioned in Fresno County, California, the BESS facility, with a capacity of 137 MW (ac), marks RWE’s largest installation to date.
The battery storage system is capable of discharging 137 MW into the grid over a four-hour duration, providing valuable energy support. Located approximately 45 miles southwest of Fresno, the expansive Fifth Standard project spans around 1,600 acres and features 369,334 photovoltaic panels. Its impressive capacity enables the generation of clean electricity to power over 26,000 homes, aligning with California’s clean energy objectives as it progresses towards its net-zero goal by 2045.
To optimize energy output, the solar panels on-site employ a racking system equipped with solar trackers, allowing them to follow the sun’s path. Any excess energy that is not immediately fed into the grid is stored in a lithium-ion battery energy storage facility situated on-site. With a capacity of up to 548 megawatt hours (MWh), this storage system enables the plant to maximize its value by releasing solar energy during periods of peak electric demand.
The Fifth Standard project is expected to generate significant revenue, estimated at up to $10 million, for local taxing jurisdictions over its operational lifetime. During the peak construction phase, the project will provide employment opportunities for over 300 workers, further contributing to the local economy.