Wind Storage-Enhanced Transmission Research and Development Project - Final Project Report

Publication Number:    CEC-500-2013-004

Abstract:
Wind generation continues to be the fastest growing segment of the generation mix in the United States. Its proliferation presents system operating challenges due to its inherent power output variability. This study identifies specific California locations where wind generation intermittency is (or will become) a major problem and identifies the preferred type of electric energy storage plants to manage the impacts of wind power output intermittency. The study also used a metrics-based tool to determine the value of siting an energy storage plant at specified sites.

Three candidate sites, all located in Kern County, were identified for installation of electric energy storage plants to address wind power output variability issues. Two are substation sites for Southern California Edison, and one substation site is for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The project team recommended installation of an energy storage plant near Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Midway Substation and Southern California Edison's substation sites at Cal Cement and Goldtown. For the power and energy capacity required at the selected sites, the only type of electric energy storage plant that is the lowest cost and uses commercially available equipment is the advanced compressed air energy storage plant.

The project team recommends use of an above-ground air storage system for the two Southern California Edison compressed air energy storage plants (a 70 megawatt (MW), 5-hour storage plant at the Cal Cement substation, and a 40 MW, 5-hour storage plant at the Goldtown substation); and an advanced compressed air energy storage plant using a below-ground air storage system (a 300-MW, 10-hour storage plant) to be sited near Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Midway substation).

The project team also prepared a technology transfer plan for the results of this project and a technology readiness plan of the metrics-based tool used in this project.

Author(s):  Schainker, Robert, William Steeley, Steve Hoffman, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Commission Division:    Technology Systems Division - R&D, PIER (500)

Office/Program:    PIER: Public Interest Energy Research

PIER Program Area:   

Date Published:    January 2013

Date On Line:    01/16/2013

Acrobat PDF File Size: 96 pages, 5260 kilobytes