GE has won a contract to provide a 30MW battery energy storage system to Coachella Energy Storage Partners (CESP).
It will be part of CESP’s supply contract with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) in Southern California.
GE will construct the facility in Imperial Valley, about 100 miles east of San Diego, while ZGlobal will operate the plant for the initial 18 months.
IID will the take control of the facility, which will offer solar ramping, frequency regulation, power balancing and black start capability for a nearby gas turbine in order to support the district’s grid flexibility and increase reliability.
The deal requires GE to deliver an energy storage solution, using its Mark VI plant controls, Brilliance MW inverters, Prolec transformers, medium-voltage switchgear and advanced lithium ion batteries.
Construction on the project is due to start in early 2016, with commercial operation planned for the third quarter.
CESP president Mike Abatti said: "We chose GE as the energy storage system provider for this project because they supplied the most comprehensive solution at a competitive price.
"GE is well-positioned to serve the needs of the project and will remain a stable, reliable technology provider as the energy storage industry evolves."
The deal, which is GE’s third project using lithium ion battery technology, is claimed to be the company’s largest energy storage project to date.
Image: GE will build a 30MW battery energy storage system for the Imperial Irrigation District in Southern California. Photo: courtesy of General Electric.