BATTERIES

RWE Powers Up California With Battery Energy Storage System

August 7, 2023

RWE’s Fifth Standard project connects the company’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) to California’s grid, along with a 150-megawatt solar PV facility.
The BESS can discharge 137 megawatts over a four-hour period, ensuring reliable clean energy supply during peak demand.
This facility would have the capacity to power more than 26,000 homes.

RWE, the leading renewable energy company, continues to make waves in the U.S. with its latest project: the Fifth Standard. Located in Fresno County, California, this ambitious venture connects the company’s first-ever utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) to the California Independent System Operator. As a bonus, the project includes a massive 150-megawatt solar PV facility, set to be operational in August. This marks RWE’s most substantial battery storage system to date, and it’s poised to have a significant impact on California’s green energy ambitions.

Meeting the Grid’s Demands

The BESS facility boasts an impressive capacity, capable of discharging 137 megawatts into the grid over a four-hour period. This means that when energy demand is at its peak, Fifth Standard can seamlessly step in and provide the electricity needed, ensuring a smooth and reliable power supply to the grid.

Mark Noyes, CEO of RWE Clean Energy, highlighted the project’s importance. “Projects like Fifth Standard, with its co-located battery storage system, will become increasingly important to help ensure that as renewables form a bigger part of the energy mix, the electricity produced can be used when it is needed most. … In our case, future growth is backed by [a] project development pipeline comprising more than 24 gigawatts in onshore wind, solar and battery storage, one of the largest in the U.S.”

A Solar Powerhouse

Fifth Standard is not just about battery storage; it’s a hybrid project that showcases the true potential of solar energy. With 369,334 photovoltaic panels covering approximately 1,600 acres, this solar PV facility is expected to generate enough green electricity to power over 26,000 homes. The solar panels will use a smart racking system with solar trackers, ensuring they follow the sun’s path to maximize energy output.

The excess energy generated by the solar panels won’t go to waste. Fifth Standard incorporates an on-site lithium-ion battery energy storage facility with a capacity of up to 548 megawatt hours (MWh). This battery storage system allows the project to store surplus energy during peak production times and release it during periods of high electric demand, optimizing the value of the generated solar energy.

A Boost to Local Economy and Biodiversity

The Fifth Standard project doesn’t only focus on clean energy; it’s also set to contribute significantly to the local economy. Throughout its lifetime, it is projected to generate up to $10 million in revenue for local taxing jurisdictions and provide employment for over 300 workers during peak construction.

In addition to the economic benefits, RWE’s approach to solar parks considers the conservation of natural resources. By securing the land for these projects, the spaces can be potential safe havens for biodiversity and create habitats for various species during the operational life of the projects.

RWE: Powering the Clean Energy Transition

RWE Clean Energy, a subsidiary of RWE Group, has been a prominent player in the U.S. renewables market for over 15 years. Their renewable energy portfolio, with about 8 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage, places them among the top renewable energy companies in the U.S. and the country’s second-largest solar owner and operator.

The company’s commitment to expanding its green portfolio aligns with the RWE Group’s Growing Green strategy, aiming to exceed 50 GW of installed capacity globally and invest more than EUR 50 billion gross by 2030.

RWE Clean Energy’s ambitious plans are supported by a project pipeline of over 24 GW in onshore wind, solar, and battery storage, making it one of the most extensive development platforms in the United States.