Company Completes Commissioning of Energy Storage Systems Delivered to SMUD

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
September 12, 2023

ESS Tech Inc. has completed the commissioning of six energy storage systems delivered to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, a California public power utility.

The six Energy Warehouse systems represent the first delivery under a framework agreement first announced in September 2022.

Under that agreement, ESS will deliver up to 200 megawatts/2 gigawatt-hours of iron flow long duration energy storage systems to SMUD.

Once fully operational and paired with renewable energy, 2 GWh of iron flow battery systems are expected to enable the elimination of approximately 284,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year from SMUD’s system, ESS said.

With the arrival of the units, SMUD prepares for the next phases of integrating the system into its clean power portfolio. Once operational, SMUD will also train staff on utility-scale applications and clean energy dispatch of long-duration battery systems.

ESS technology directly supports the utility’s 2030 Clean Energy Vision “by enabling increased utilization of renewable energy, providing neighborhood resiliency, and promoting social justice and equity with safe and sustainable energy storage infrastructure and reduced emissions,” ESS said.

In addition to deploying critical energy storage technology, ESS and SMUD plan to establish a Center of Excellence for energy storage manufacturing in Sacramento.

The COE will be established in partnership with local educational institutions and will provide workforce training and support economic development in the greater Sacramento region.