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Batteries

SRP and Google Collaborate on Long Duration Energy Storage Research

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Salt River Project (SRP) and Google are joining forces to study the effectiveness of non-lithium ion long duration energy storage technologies. The collaboration, aimed at accelerating the deployment of these technologies, will involve Google funding parts of the costs for LDES pilot projects developed for SRP's grid. The research collaboration will provide valuable insights into the viability of these new technologies, potentially speeding up their commercialization. Both companies share ambitious sustainability goals, with SRP aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and Google striving to run its global operations on 24/7 carbon-free energy.

Key Takeaways:

  • SRP currently operates approximately 1,300 MW of energy storage, consisting of 1,100 MW battery storage (across eight facilities) and 200 MW of pumped hydro storage.
  • The company plans to at least double its generating resources over the next 10 years to ensure grid reliability in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
  • Google will fund part of the costs for LDES pilot projects developed for SRP's grid, with the company evaluating data on the pilot projects' operational performance.
  • This collaboration is the latest example of SRP and Google working together, having previously partnered on major projects like the Sonoran Solar Energy Center and the Storey Energy Center.
  • SRP and Google share ambitious sustainability goals, with SRP targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and Google aiming for a 24/7 carbon-free energy operation.

Statistics:

  • SRP currently operates 1,300 MW of energy storage.
  • 1,100 MW of this storage capacity is battery-based, divided across eight facilities.
  • 200 MW of SRP's energy storage is in the form of pumped hydro storage.
  • SRP plans to double its generating resources over the next 10 years.
  • Google expects its Arizona operations to reach 80% carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2026 due to ongoing projects like the Sonoran Solar Energy Center.

Sources:

  • Salt River Project. "Salt River Project and Google Announce First-of-Its-Kind Research Collaboration to Advance Non-Lithium Ion Long Duration Energy Storage." September 8, 2022.
  • Google. "Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." (Page not explicitly dated but appears to be a past activity of the company)
  • About SRP. "SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 1.1 million customers."

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