Middle River Power and SV Clean Energy celebrate new, clean storage
Hanford, CA — This week, Middle River Power (MRP) and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) celebrated the installation of a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Hanford Hybrid Energy Center. The project leverages existing and incremental interconnection capacity and developed land to add a new resource that will help balance California’s abundant renewable energy sources while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the legacy facility. The storage system will reduce emissions from the center by reducing the run-time of the existing natural gas reliability facility during times of high energy demand using stored excess renewable energy.
SVCE, a community choice energy provider that supplies clean electricity to 280,000 residents and businesses in Santa Clara County, is receiving 131.4-megawatt hours (MWhs) of storage capacity from the BESS under a 12-year contract.
“This is a significant step in our strategic endeavors to drive the energy transition,” said Graham Baldwin, Middle River Power’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations. “We are excited to partner with SVCE with our Hanford hybrid energy project.”
The Hanford Energy Center was built in 2001 and has operated as a gas peaker plant providing power to the grid during peak and critical demand. The facility is typically called on from 4 – 9 p.m. when solar power declines and energy demand increases. With the BESS installation, the center is now a hybrid facility, utilizing state of the art lithium-ion phosphate battery storage co-located with the plant. The battery system meets all nationally-recognized safety standards. The batteries charge from the grid when there is abundant, clean solar energy available, and will be called on to discharge first, before the gas facility, during critical grid hours. The charged energy held in the battery decreases the dependence of the gas plant, reducing the amount of emissions associated with the facility over time, while maintaining reliability.
“SVCE is working to advance solutions to achieve the state’s clean energy goals,” said Monica Padilla, SVCE CEO. “This transition requires us to think innovatively about how we can maintain a stable, reliable energy supply while new, clean capacity is built. The Hanford Hybrid Energy Center is an opportunity for us to continue to contribute towards meeting the grid’s reliability needs while still working towards our greater mission of providing 100% carbon-free energy and reducing overall emissions.”
At the ribbon cutting event, Congressman David Valadao presented the Hanford Hybrid Energy Center and SVCE with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for their innovative collaboration.
The Hanford Hybrid Energy Center is one of 22 projects including wind, solar + storage, and geothermal that SVCE has contracted with. It is the first hybrid natural gas and battery project in the agency’s portfolio. As part of the SVCE Board approval of the contract, the agency established a fund to provide financial support to local non-profits working to provide weatherization and electrification services to Kings County residents.
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About Middle River Power
The Hanford Energy Center is owned and operated by affiliates of Middle River Power. Middle River Power is a private equity-sponsored investment and asset management platform specializing in US power generation assets. With over 8,000 MW of power generation facilities across the U.S., we are committed to safe, reliable, and efficient operations supporting reliable electricity today while we drive the energy transition. Our executive team brings over 120 years of combined experience in energy management. We leverage our deep industry expertise and strong relationships with seasoned industry contractors and consultants to deliver development, operational and commercial success.
About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing electricity from renewable and clean sources to more than 280,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org.
Media Contact
Michaela Pippin, Communications Manager | (408) 549-2690 |
Michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org
