Independent power producer (IPP) Fullmark Energy has announced the commercial operation of its 20MW/40MWh Ortega energy storage project in Lake Elsinore, California, US.
Fullmark’s battery energy storage system (BESS) is part of its Redwood energy storage portfolio.
Redwood comprises four BESS projects across California. Johanna is a 20MW/80MWh BESS in Santa Ana, Carris-Desert is a 20MW BESS in Palm Springs, and San Jacinto is a 65MW BESS in Banning.
Fullmark emphasised that the portfolio approach for the projects allowed the company to secure consolidated financing, optimise capital efficiency, and generate greater overall value for investors and stakeholders.
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Johanna was the first to go into commercial operation in 2021. Ortega is the third operational project in the portfolio. San Jacinto has not yet reached commercial operation status.
Fullmark stated that Ortega faced complex challenges, including designing a complex interconnection system that met landowner needs and developing a sensitive wetland conservation approach that complied with California Department of Fish and Wildlife standards.
Ortega also brought upgraded water lines for neighbouring businesses and beautification of a “previously neglected” site.
The project will participate in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) market, providing critical grid services including energy arbitrage, frequency regulation, and resource adequacy.
Fullmark’s operational approach focuses on long-term asset management and performance optimisation, using its proprietary Medea dispatch platform across all operating projects. The company says the technology allows for “minute-by-minute optimisation, ensuring safe and reliable operations.”
Fullmark, a spinout of Hecate Energy and InfraRed Capital Partners, previously operated under the name Hecate Grid. The company rebranded to Fullmark earlier this year.
At the time, the company said the rebrand reflected “the company’s evolution from an organisation focused primarily on project development to a fully integrated energy storage company that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates standalone BESS projects across the US.”
Fullmark has a 4GW development pipeline across several US markets, including California, Texas and the Mid-Atlantic region.
