US energy storage developer Gridstor has announced the start of construction of its first project, a 60MW/160MWh BESS in California.

A ‘first of its kind’ microgrid will be installed at a California substation, where it will use a combination of lithium-ion batteries and green hydrogen to provide 48 hours of back up.

CPUC approved rules of programme to offer US$200 million funding for microgrid projects in the service areas of investor-owned utilities.

News in brief from around the world in energy storage.

Communities anywhere within the service area of California utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) will now be eligible to apply for support to install renewable-plus-storage microgrids.

Clean energy solutions provider Ameresco has contracted with California investor-owned utility Southern California Edison (SCE) to deliver battery energy storage systems (BESS) totalling 537.5MW of output and 2,150MWh.

California’s government has issued a roadmap for the US state to achieve its long-term goal of 100% clean energy, while an immediate State of Emergency has been declared over concerns the electric system will struggle under heat waves this summer.

A rapid and significant increase in battery storage capacity will be among factors contributing to an improved energy security position for California’s electricity networks this summer, but the grid is still vulnerable to stress during any extreme heatwaves.

Communities at risk of losing their electricity supply in the service area of California utility PG&E when disasters strike are being supported in developing their own microgrids through a new scheme announced by the utility this week.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), one of California’s three main investor-owned utilities, has said that 1,400MW of battery storage is to be deployed in its service area by the end of 2023 will keep the company on-track to meet statewide renewable energy goals “while ensuring grid reliability”.