San Diego airport set for solar-plus-storage system
The system will go live in early 2020. Source: Flickr/Christian Flores.
San Diego International Airport in California will be home to a battery energy storage system paired with onsite solar PV that is set to reduce electricity costs as well as deliver much-needed reductions in carbon emissions.
It is widely acknowledged that full-scale electric aviation remains some way off from becoming reality, although this week reports from the Paris Aviation Show trade event had some carriers and technology providers claiming there could be all-electric planes carrying passengers on short-haul flights by 2027.
While propulsion and keeping a plane in the sky requires batteries both large enough in capacity and lightweight enough to not stop the aircraft from taking off altogether, in the meantime, various airports and aviation authorities have installed onsite solar generation at hubs so that operations on the ground at least have their environmental impact minimised.
San Diego International has already achieved LEED certification in 2013 for its West terminal buildings, and installed 5.5MW of solar PV three years later. In addition, in common with the vast majority of all other commercial customers of electricity in the US, the airport pays higher prices for electricity drawn from the grid at peak times compared to domestic retail utility customers. Comprising as much as 40% of the airport's monthly energy bills, it is this portion of costs that the ESS will help tackle.
ENGIE Storage, formerly known as Green Charge Networks prior to takeover by the European utility and thought to be one of the clear leaders in the nascent US commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage market, will put the 2MW / 4MWh system into operation in early 2020, the company said.
Based on ENGIE Storage's GridSynergy platform, which uses cloud-based software to analyse energy usage and demand patterns and model the system's performance accordingly, the ESS will calculate the optimal charge and discharge cycles from the battery, ENGIE Storage said.
The airport meanwhile has further scope for solar and battery storage as well as updated HVAC and LED light retrofits, which it is including in a "comprehensive energy plan".
Energy Storage Summit USA
Following the successful launch of Energy Storage Summit USA, we are pleased to announce its return for a 2nd year. Renowned for its quality, breadth and expertise, this event features an all-encompassing range of strategic and technical sessions on the adoption and deployment of storage. Key market drivers such as the falling price of lithium-ion batteries, investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, FERC Order 841, government incentives, grid modernization, transition from dependency on the networks to a desire for autonomy and intermittent renewable sources, all add to an exciting time for the Energy Storage value chain.
Intersolar North America
Intersolar North America is the first major solar + energy storage event of the year that connects innovators and decision makers. With a dynamic exhibition floor and robust conference program, #isna2020 provides business-to-business professionals a platform to advance business, expand education, and drive networking. Immerse yourself in three days of best-in-class conference programming and special exhibits and pavilions that showcase the industry trends, innovative solutions, and emerging talent transforming the solar, energy storage, and e-mobility markets: Join us February 4-6, 2020 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
Also read...
-
Engie turns to 813MWp solar sale in India to slash debt
-
Israel seeks developers for 300MW solar project in Negev desert
-
California green-lights plans for green energy boom in Sacramento
-
Capital Dynamics buys 8minute's Californian solar-plus-storage colossus
-
Solar investor NextEnergy targets Europe, America, India in global debut
Comments