The University of California, San Diego will be installing what will be once completed one of the biggest battery-based energy storage systems in the US, according to a recent announcement.
The new 2.5 MW, 5 MWh system will be directly integrated into UC San Diego’s microgrid — widely considered to be one of the world’s “most advanced” microgrids. As it stands, UC SanDiego currently generates about 92% of the electricity used on campus annually.
The new system was purchased from BYD — which, if you don’t already know, is now the largest supplier of rechargeable batteries in the world. The system is based around high-performance lithium-ion iron-phosphate batteries which contain “no heavy metals or toxic electrolytes and, during the manufacturing process, all caustic or harmful materials are avoided.” The batteries in question are also reportedly non-explosive and fire-safe, even when placed directly in flames.
The press release provides a bit more: “Once the 2.5 MW, 5 MWh advanced energy storage system is installed in spring 2015, UC San Diego will be eligible for up to $3.25 million in financial incentives through the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). SGIP is a California ratepayer-funded rebate program that provides incentives for the installation of clean and efficient distributed generation technologies.”
“Together, we seek to ensure that renewable power can be utilized as a reliable generation source enabled by environmentally-friendly battery storage. UC San Diego is committed to practices that promote sustainability and innovation, not just on our campus, but in our community and our world,” stated Gary C Matthews, Vice Chancellor for Resource Management and Planning. “Energy storage has the potential to transform the global energy landscape. It can help make renewable energy sources more reliable and is critical to a resilient, efficient, clean and cost-effective grid. We are proud to help advance this technology.”
Image Credit: UC San Diego
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