Renewable energy is here to stay, as depicted by one California community’s decision to establish an electric battery storage plant, rather than building another gas-powered plant.
142 Tesla Megapacks became operative in California earlier this week, replacing a proposed gas peaker plant located in Ventura County, according to Energy Storage News.
The project, titled Saticoy, is a major battery storage plant that is set to help the surrounding communities of Oxnard keep up with energy demand during peak run times.
Apple to Use 85 Tesla Megapack Batteries at California Solar Farm https://t.co/fIGbsuGNsM
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) April 1, 2021
Ventura County District 5 Supervisor Carmen Ramirez said, “Saying no to a gas peaker plant and yes to battery-stored energy has provided our community with a nonpolluting power plant, increased our tax base, and created good jobs and ultimately better health for the people.”
The giant 142-Megapack battery was purchased under a 20-year purchase and sale agreement, following proposals for a new gas peaker plant.
However, upon the gas plant proposal, the city of Oxnard fought back, eventually leading them to settle on the 100 megawatt/400 megawatt-hour battery, with a new proposal from Arevon Asset Management, a renewable energy company.
In addition to providing power, the massive Tesla battery will also provide extra power to the grid during peak use times.
“On hot days when the grid is struggling to keep up, the Saticoy battery storage facility will help keep the lights on and air conditioners running with on-demand, local electricity,” said Capital Dynamics’ head of clean energy infrastructure John Breckenridge.
Earlier this year, Tesla also helped establish a 256-Megapack site in Moss Landing, California for PG&E.
