Under a 2010 state law, the California Public Utilities Commission set an energy storage target of 1.3 gigawatts by the end of the decade. Now it’s officially asking the utilities to meet that goal.
“It completely fits with California’s leadership around renewable energy,” says Assembly member Nancy Skinner, who authored the legislation. “It fits around our energy efficiency commitment and around our commitment to grid stability.”
The utilities are mostly embracing the decision. They say some of the typical concerns with any new technology still remain.
“It still needs to mature and develop,” says Hanan Eisenman with San Diego Gas and Electric. “As that happens the cost can come down and the technology and the performance can be increased.”
Under the new rules the commission can only approve projects deemed to be viable and cost effective.