Franklin Energy is seeking to build a $200 million lithium-ion battery storage facility in Twin Falls County. “There’s a fundamental difference between what a battery project can do and what a stand-alone wind project or solar project can do,” he said. That, Richardson said, plus advances in technology have brought renewable-energy battery storage to the edge of being financially competitive on a commercial scale. “Battery storage is going to open a whole new chapter in the utility industry,” Richardson said. “Serious consideration should be given to whether battery storage qualifies as a renewable resource under the provisions of PURPA,” she testified.

Source: Washington Post January 13, 2018 17:03 UTC