The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's board of commission approved two power purchase agreements with 8minute Solar Energy LLC, allowing construction to move forward on what the utility described as the largest solar and battery energy storage system in the U.S.
The PPAs are subject to Los Angeles City Council approval.
The Eland Solar and Storage Center will have a capacity of 400 MW and store up to 1,200 MWh of energy, which can be distributed to meet peak demand. LADWP said Sept. 10 that this will reduce the need for natural gas at night or on cloudy days.
LADWP selected the Eland project out of 130 proposals because of its scope and competitive price, which includes a fixed cost of less than 2 cents per kWh for solar power. "Eland Solar and Storage Center will offer reliable, cost-competitive energy as we expand solar and other renewable resources to meet our aggressive climate change goals," LADWP Interim General Manager Martin Adams said.
LADWP currently receives 31% of its energy from renewable sources and the Eland project will increase it by up to 7.1%, according to a news release. The project will also support the city's goals to reach 55% renewable energy by 2025, 80% by 2036 and 100% by 2045.
The Eland project will be built in two phases and is expected to begin commercial operation no later than Dec. 31, 2023. Glendale Water & Power will receive 12.5% of the total storage and battery storage.
