We’ve been hearing more and more about battery storage – what does it really mean? Who is involved? Who is in charge? Keep reading for information about what battery storage is, the path towards more energy storage in SLO County and a breakdown of a proposed local project.
As global temperatures continue to rise, we have a growing need for renewable energy sources to help minimize impacts to climate change. Solar and wind energies are great alternatives to fossil energy, however, these renewable sources have peak production times, like when the sun is out. Without an energy storage system, there’s no way to store energy produced during peak times to be used during low production times. As we continue to use more and more energy every year, we need a way to capture and store energy produced during peak times to ensure a secure and reliable grid around the clock.
That’s where energy storage in the form of batteries comes in. A battery storage facility can hold energy generated until it’s needed to be fed back into the grid, giving the Central Coast the ability to continue to work toward new green energy projects like offshore wind.
There is a proposed project in the works that would bring 24 acres of battery energy storage to Morro Bay. Vistra, a Fortune 500 electricity and power company that’s a leader in energy transition and expansion, is spearheading this project. Morro Bay is home to several high-capacity transmission lines, switchyards and substations, making it a critical place along the grid for energy storage. There’s also large amounts of infrastructure that already exists in Morro Bay that’s currently underutilized.
Vistra is working with the City of Morro Bay to make this battery storage plant a reality. The City is preparing a Master Plan that’s being funded by Vistra to establish a vision for future development on the 107-acre Vistra property (previously the Morro Bay Power Plant) and surrounding areas. This includes reusing 24 acres of the site to build the energy storage facility and connect to existing infrastructure, responsibly demolishing and remediating the legacy power plant to provide opportunities for future redevelopment, and improving the Embarcadero and harbor-front for future generations.
While nothing is set in stone yet and this particular project is still years away from becoming reality, the SLO Chamber recognizes that our region needs to continue to expand our renewable energy opportunities and resources. We are in favor of bringing battery energy storage to the Central Coast, and encourage you to learn more and get involved.