The owner says the big project is set to open by May, and vows its batteries are safe
The Nighthawk Energy Storage Project in Poway is scheduled to begin operations within the next two months. The sprawling facility by Arizona-based renewable energy company Arevon will have 300 megawatts and 1,200 megawatt-hours of storage capacity — enough electricity to power.
“We’re hoping that we’ll be operational between like mid-April and May … We’re doing the final touches.” In terms of size, Johnson described Nighthawk as ranking “in the top 10%” of battery projects in the nation. Arevon will own and operate Nighthawk. Through a long-term agreement, the battery storage facility will provide resource adequacy capacity to Pacific Gas & Electric Company and help support California’s reliability and clean-energy goals. State policymakers have mandated that 100% of California’s electricity must come from carbon-free sources by 2045, if not sooner. Even though PG&E’s service territory is located in Northern and Central California, Johnson said Nighthawk will boost overall grid reliability to customers in the San Diego area, too. “If there’s any sort of risk of blackouts or anything like that, this is the type of resource that is super helpful in mitigating those risks,” Johnson said. Energy storage typically takes solar power generated during the day and discharges the electricity later, especially from 4 to 9 p.m. when California’s grid is under the most stress. Batteries can help reduce the risk of rotating power outages and replace natural gas “peaker plants” used during those critical hours when customers crank up their air conditioners. Johnson said Nighthawk can also help “ameliorate the price spikes that happen on the wider transmission system at the end of the day, because you’re releasing power that you have charged up earlier in the day.” Arevon estimates Nighthawk is expected to deliver more than $30 million in property tax payments that can support schools, infrastructure improvements and other public services over its lifespan.during a 2024 Poway City Council meetingsaid the facility will have a protection system that will automatically shut down and prevent the spread of fire to other battery modules.Though supporters of battery technology say fires are rare, a trio of outbreaks in the San Diego area occurred in the space of one year:, operated by LS Power and its subsidiary, Rev Renewables. Fire officials said the batteries experienced “thermal runaway” — a condition in which excessive heat results in a chemical reaction that spreads to other batteries — and it took nearly 17 days before the last crew left the facility.that led to the temporary evacuation of about 500 nearby businesses. Crews from the city of Escondido found no abnormal readings indicating toxic fumes and air-quality monitoring did not indicate any health risks. Arevon officials say that unlike the older-model lithium-ion batteries that have been involved in recent fires, Nighthawk will use Tesla Megapack 2XL batteries that use a lithium-iron phosphate, or LFP, chemistry that the company says are “orders of magnitude” more stable and less likely to overheat and ignite. Johnson said batteries in previous fires were often stacked in big warehouses, where “you could have a thermal event happen in one area of the facility, and it was hard to prevent them just cascading throughout a facility.” In the Nighthawk design, Johnson said the Tesla Megapack batteries are contained within a single steel enclosure so that if there were an ignition in one battery, it “would not consume the other ones around it.” The batteries will be equipped with sensors that detect any kind of temperature deviation. “If that occurs,” Johnson said, “that immediately shuts down the megapack and triggers an alarm.” The system will also be monitored remotely 24/7 and fire department training will be conducted before the project begins operating. Among other precautions, Arevon will build a 12-foot masonry wall completely around the site and pledges to “fully reimburse the city for all costs” incurred from responding to any fire at at the facility. Nighthawk is located on a parcel of land in an industrial park off Kirkham Road in Poway. The facility will be connected via a 138,000-volt transmission line to San Diego Gas & Electric’sclosing on a $920 financing packageHow does Petco Park factor into sale of San Diego Padres?Huge Navy warship formerly homeported in San Diego will transport Marines to Middle EastNavy delays decommissioning of the former San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS NimitzEscondido has some of San Diego County’s priciest water. Avocado growers have waited a decade for a lifeline.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Over-Reliance on AI May Harm Your Cognitive Ability, Experts WarnThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »
Marvel Rivals’ New MCU Skin May Be Its Best YetSince 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.
Read more »
Ten Great March Madness Cinderella Stories You May Have ForgottenAn eight-team tournament winner, David Robinson’s Navy squad and a First Four participant’s deep run highlight NCAA tournament stories worth remembering.
Read more »
Tesla Files New Seat Patent For A Supercar That’s Been Sitting Since 2017A new patent filing may offer fresh insight into the upcoming Tesla Roadster, which may or may not debut next month
Read more »
Saints May Have Tough Time Trading Derek CarrThe former New Orleans Saints quarterback is still up in the air.
Read more »
A few minutes outside may reset the brain more than we realize.Modern life keeps us indoors, but the brain evolved outside. Even brief time in sunlight and nature can restore attention, improve mood, and help reset the body’s internal clock.
Read more »