The largest single-phase battery in the world, Crimson Storage, is currently operational in the California desert.
The second-largest energy storage project currently operational in any configuration is Crimson Storage.
The 350 MW/1400 MWh battery storage facility, located in Riverside County on 2,000 acres west of Blythe, started construction in 2021. The project’s inauguration is celebrated by California Governor Gavin Newsom. The initiative, in Newsom’s opinion, best represented California leadership. He added that accelerating clean energy projects will enable California to meet its 2045 target of having 100% emissions-free electricity.
Crimson Storage Is Up And Running
Crimson Storage’s long-term owners will be Axium Infrastructure and solar and storage firm Recurrent Energy. Canadian Solar managed construction and delivered the battery energy storage devices.
Typically, single-phase power supplies service residential buildings, and this project is anticipated to store and distribute enough electricity annually to power more than 47,000 such buildings.
A 200 MW/800 MWh 14-year and 10-month deal with Southern California Edison and a 150 MW/600 MWh 15-year contract with Pacific Gas and Electric are the two long-term contracts that Crimson has with local utilities. The Biden administration approved Crimson Storage in May 2021 as the first independent energy storage project on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties.
According to Electrek, the BLM granted approval for the 350 MW, $550 million Crimson Solar Project, which includes Crimson Storage. The project will generate and transport electricity through the Southern California Edison Colorado River Substation, and it will power about 87,500 residences. This project’s solar component will eventually be built.
