Portland General Electric completes 475 MW battery storage systems.

Portland General Electric (PGE) has completed three new battery energy storage systems, adding 475 MW and 1.9 GWh of dispatchable capacity to serve the Portland metro area. The systems can power approximately 300,000 homes for four hours during peak demand or when power is limited due to weather or interruptions. The batteries enhance PGE's ability to respond to sudden grid changes and provide backup capacity to ensure electricity access during critical times.

Portland General Electric (PGE) has completed three new battery energy storage systems, adding 475 MW and 1.9 GWh of dispatchable capacity to serve the Portland metro area. The systems, located at key substations in North Portland, Troutdale, and Hillsboro, can power approximately 300,000 homes for four hours during peak demand or when power is limited due to weather or interruptions. These facilities, developed through PGE's 2021 All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP) process, enhance PGE's ability to respond to sudden grid changes and provide backup capacity to ensure electricity access during critical times [1].

The three new facilities include Seaside, a 200 MW PGE-owned facility delivered by Eolian, L.P. (Eolian), and Sundial, a 200 MW facility in Troutdale operated by NextEra Energy Resources under a 20-year storage capacity agreement with PGE. The third facility, Constable, is a 75 MW PGE-owned facility located in Hillsboro. All three facilities achieved commercial operation in 2024 or 2025 [1].

In addition to these new facilities, PGE completed its 17 MW Coffee Creek Battery Storage system near Wilsonville in 2024. The completion of Seaside, Sundial, Constable, and Coffee Creek brings PGE's large-scale battery storage capacity to 492 MW [1].

By integrating these battery storage systems into its grid, PGE aims to reduce reliance on expensive short-term electricity purchases, stabilize energy costs, and support the integration of intermittent sources like wind and solar. The strategic placement of these facilities at major substations also avoids the need for expensive or challenging new grid upgrades [1].

This investment in battery energy storage aligns with PGE's commitment to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. PGE's customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy, with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country [1].

References:
[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pge-energizes-475-mw-of-battery-energy-storage-to-boost-grid-reliability-and-keep-costs-low-for-oregonians-302524303.html