By Faughn Energy • Renewable Energy 0 Comments

Valley Children’s Ensures Energy Resiliency With Pioneering Microgrid Project

Valley Children’s Healthcare broke ground today on an innovative microgrid project that will ensure the hospital’s long-term energy resilience and sustainability. The microgrid includes solar panels, fuel cells and battery storage that will allow it to generate, store and distribute electricity and reduce the hospital’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Valley Children’s state-of-the-art system will provide a reliable, clean energy source and ensure uninterrupted care for patients – even during power outages. It will be one of the largest renewable energy microgrids connected to a hospital emergency system in the country.

“Today marks a momentous milestone for Valley Children’s, and this initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment that our hospital remains a beacon of hope and care, regardless of external circumstances,” said Valley Children’s Healthcare President and CEO Todd Suntrapak. “By investing in this cutting-edge technology, we are securing a reliable energy source for our patients, doctors and staff and contributing to a more sustainable future for our community.”

Valley Children’s microgrid will incorporate renewable energy technologies, including solar photovoltaic materials designed in the shape of the hospital’s beloved mascot, George the Giraffe. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to cleaner air in a region with some of the nation’s poorest air quality.

When operational in 2025, the microgrid will cover 80% of the hospital’s energy needs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% and save $15 million in energy costs during the next 25 years. Importantly, it will ensure the hospital remains fully functional at all times, even during regional power outages.

In 2023, Valley Children’s joined the U.S Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Climate Challenge, an initiative aimed at accelerating decarbonization across various sectors in the country.

“Congratulations to our Better Climate Challenge partner Valley Children’s Healthcare for breaking ground on a first-of-its-kind renewable energy microgrid,” said Maria Vargas, Director of the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative. “By improving community resilience and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, innovative projects like this are what the Better Climate Challenge is all about: meeting the challenge of climate change head-on and leading the way for others.”

“Our mission is driven by the unwavering belief that every child deserves the best possible future,” added Suntrapak. “Every decision we make is guided by our dedication to their health, safety and well-being. This project is not just about energy resilience. It is about ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.”

https://www.valleychildrens.org/news/news-story?news=1400&fbclid=IwY2xjawFpPKhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcopn-xDkk6Ty2CLCsPDsUMeNM5d1g1F4J9SrlX9AZTgYKtaVRnkEOMw7Q_aem_bvBQkL–g_rQ500IFo7IWA

By Faughn Economy • Energy • Renewable Energy 0 Comments

NAS Lemoore plans lease of 425 MW solar farm and construction of data center

The US Navy is working on a lease of 920 acres of land around the Naval Air Station Lemoore base to a Massachusetts company who would construct a large 425 MW solar farm and build a data center the size of three Costcos on the base campus.

This is the third run to lease surrounding land at the base by the government to produce energy that could help protect the facility power supply and offer resiliency. Similar projects were proposed in 2015 and 2023 but no construction ever happened.

Now there is a new investor who could build this project that now includes a 600,000 square foot power-hungry data center — one of hottest commodities on Wall Street these days.

A draft environmental document (Supplemental Assessment-SEA) published in June says a new lessee — Ameresco — could sell the generated power to regional customers, including the onsite data center. In return, the lessee would provide in-kind consideration in the form of energy generation to the Navy that would allow NAS Lemoore to work toward meeting both Navy and Department of Defense energy resiliency objectives. The project would include EV charging stations, a battery storage facility or BESS, backup generation/microgrid and related infrastructure.

A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and other hardware. It serves as a centralized location for organizations to store, process, manage, and distribute large amounts of data. Data centers are

designed to provide a controlled environment with optimal conditions for the reliable operation of the computer systems. They have redundant power

supplies, cooling systems, and backup generators to ensure uninterrupted operation. They also employ various security measures, such as access controls, surveillance systems, and fire suppression systems, to protect the valuable data and equipment.

The data center would be connected to high-speed long haul fiber optic network for receiving and transmitting data. The facility would be primarily powered by on-site solar and battery storage for most of the year and would be connected to grid power for periods of low solar energy production.

The data center would be secured by fences and gates and only accessible by authorized personnel or deliveries. Vehicles onsite would include employee

vehicles, delivery trucks and service vehicles. During operations, the project site would have 20 employees, with staffing seven days per week, 24 hours per day.

A key factor that contributes to the rapid expansion of data center construction in the U.S. is digital transformation. As more businesses undergo digital transformations, the need for robust IT infrastructure to support cloud computing, big data analytics, and online services has skyrocketed, says one analysis.

Federal incentives have promoted investments. There are no data centers in Kings or Tulare counties.

Approximate Construction Timeline

Construction of the overall project would be expected to begin in 2024, says the document, with data center operations most likely commencing in 2025. The project can be constructed in single or multiple phases that are determined by the data center customer. Data center development typically can include up to five phases of approximately 20-25 MW increments that may extend construction time through 2027.

History of lease

The document is a Supplemental Assessment because the 2016 environmental study led to a lease of lands around the base that is still in place. NAS Lemoore encompasses 18,784 acres of Navy-owned land.

On Oct. 12, 2016, approximately 930 acres (i.e., Project Site) were leased to Liberty CO LLC for a term of 37 years (expiring Oct. 31, 2053). The existing lease with Liberty CO LLC was then transferred to Bright Canyon Energy on Feb. 14, 2019. In January 2024, Bright Canyon was acquired by Ameresco, and thus, as of 2024, Ameresco is now the current lessee of the undeveloped land.

Under the Navy’s 2024 Proposed Action, the existing lease would be modified to allow the lessee to construct and operate additional resilient energy systems within the leased 930-acre Project Site.

The existing lease allows the lessee to construct and operate up to a 125 MW solar PV system and associated infrastructure. The changes proposed as part of the 2024 Proposed Action would include the construction and operation of an additional 300 MW of solar PV systems (for a total of up to 425 MW) and an option to construct a data center, EV charging stations, BESS, backup generation/microgrid, and related infrastructure.

Ameresco, Inc. completed the acquisition of Clean Energy Asset from Bright Canyon Energy for $76.8 million, says their website.

Ameresco develops, owns and operates renewable-energy projects across the United States, Canada and Europe. In California, its projects include battery storage installations, including a $1.2 billion, 537.5-MW project that was delayed due to COVID-19 lockdowns and resulted in the company declaring a force majeure in April 2022. Ameresco was contracted to construct the battery storage systems for SCE at the utility’s substations in Ventura and the Los Angeles area.

The environmental document says once construction starts, it will employ about 400 construction workers.

A final SEA is expected before work begins.

https://hanfordsentinel.com/business/energy/nas-lemoore-plans-lease-of-425-mw-solar-farm-and-construction-of-data-center-john/article_daaafe54-90af-11ef-a013-3f506e5c207b.html

By Faughn Energy 0 Comments

H2B2 and 2G Energy Receive 2024 CHP Project of the Year Award for SoHyCal’s Renewable Hydrogen Impact

H2B2 USA LLC, a leading vertically integrated hydrogen solutions company, and 2G Energy, Inc., a global CHP solution provider, are elated to announce that their collaborative SoHyCal project has been distinguished with the highly coveted 2024 CHP Project of the Year Award by the Combined Heat and Power Alliance. The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, September 25th at the National Summit on CHP held at the Westin in Alexandria, Virginia.

The SoHyCal project, managed by H2B2, represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable energy solutions in California. By producing renewable hydrogen through electrolysis powered entirely by renewable energy, SoHyCal is paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. A key partner in this project is 2G Energy, whose state-of-the-art biogas engine plays a critical role in powering the hydrogen production process.

Pedro Pajares, CEO of H2B2, emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving the project’s success: “Receiving this award is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams. The SoHyCal project is more than just a technological achievement—it is a symbol of the progress we are making towards a sustainable future. We are proud to lead this effort and to have such a committed partner in 2G Energy.”

2G Energy’s cutting-edge biogas technology not only provides the necessary energy for the electrolysis process but also ensures that the entire operation remains carbon-neutral, a vital component in California’s broader climate goals. “Our partnership with H2B2 has allowed us to showcase the potential of biogas in large-scale renewable energy projects,” said 2G Energy, Inc.’s Managing Director Darren Jamison. “We are honored to receive this award and are committed to continuing our work in advancing renewable hydrogen solutions.”

This award recognizes the SoHyCal project as a pioneering effort in hydrogen production, showcasing the successful integration of H2B2 and 2G Energy’s innovative technologies, which not only meet current clean hydrogen demands but also set a foundation for future expansions to support California’s climate goals and inspire similar global initiatives.

About H2B2 USA LLC:

H2B2 USA LLC is a pioneering California-based company, at the forefront of renewable energy innovation with their groundbreaking renewable hydrogen production and integrated solutions to its customers across the whole hydrogen value chain and covering all business scales. H2B2’s customer-centric, one-stop-shop offering enables seamless and effective support through the entire lifecycle of a hydrogen production facility (including the identification of the opportunity, R&D, design, permitting, construction, and operation services for the exploitation of the hydrogen facility), and complete solutions for transportation, storage, and sale of renewable hydrogen.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/h2b2-2g-energy-receive-2024-190000992.html?guccounter=2&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAC8J8KfKVncBplFU0XXTDw7XLij7Jg-PWMZFRdq1cOv1kN0gU3-ooShtbixIXa1gQZ2L0HFZSCC4E3qr1q5kKMKlyYGFcPjER_ddyTK0ck0XQwzM3nQ2x-HV_cXWKo_KSzx1DlvLYtCbt6bVBMuxMGWRfMNvQWkoVUPGC5fEyI2o

By Faughn Energy • Hi-Tech 0 Comments

New battery installation comes online in eastern Kern

Clearway Energy Group’s 147-megawatt Rosamond Central Battery Energy Storage System is the company’s first battery retrofit project, made up of lithium-ion batteries delivering power for four hours nightly to support the reliability of California’s power grid.

The project, located adjacent to Clearway’s 192-megawatt Rosamond Central solar array, brings the company’s battery storage portfolio to more than 850 megawatts.

Energy storage at the site is contracted to Rosemead-based utility Southern California Edison under a long-term power agreement. It and Clearway have partnered on projects accounting for more than 1.5 gigawatts of renewable power, including the Alta Wind Energy Center at the Tehachapi Pass.

Clearway reported Rosamond Central BESS is among the first battery energy storage projects financed under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022’s energy community bonus incentive. The measure offers a credit of up to 2.75 cents per kilowatt-hour for renewably produced power projects built by workers, including qualified apprentices, are paid prevailing wages.

The company said more than 50 union workers led by San Jose-based electrical contractor Rosendin, built the installation over 115,000 man-hours of injury-free labor. The batteries were supplied Finnish Wärtsilä.

“Battery storage projects like Rosamond Central BESS play an essential role in deliverying on California’s Resource Adequacy program to keep the lights on for homes and businesses acros sthe state during peak hours,” Senior Vice President of Operators Valerie Wooley of Clearway said in a news release.

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/new-battery-installation-comes-online-in-eastern-kern/article_2ecbdf72-4b72-11ef-b656-9fd614a7e911.html

By Faughn Economy • Energy • New Developments 0 Comments

Hydrogen projects sprout in the Valley

Plans for using hydrogen to fight climate change are sprouting all over the San Joaquin Valley this summer. Projects are in the works in western Fresno County, in Pixley in Tulare County and in Orange Cove where SoCal Gas will blend 5% hydrogen with natural gas for retail customers reducing overall greenhouse gases.

When hydrogen is injected into a fuel cell, hydrogen generates electricity but emits only heat and harmless water vapor and has great potential to cut global carbon emissions and keep toxic pollutants out. Experts say hydrogen could make the biggest difference in sectors now mostly powered by fossil fuels — trucking, shipping and aviation.

In the westside of the Valley, the Darden Clean Energy Project would cover 9,500 acres owned by Westland Water District and include a trifecta of green technologies including a 3.1 million solar panel farm, a 1,150MW green hydrogen plant and a 4600MWE hour battery storage plant.

An electrolyzer water treatment plant would be powered by solar power capable of producing 220 tons of gaseous hydrogen per day that could be used as zero carbon transportation fuel. To bring electricity to the grid the sprawling energy farm would be connected to a 15 mile transmission line to a PG&E substation near Highway 5.

Instead of seeking approval through Fresno County, the massive project is going direct to the California Energy Commission (CEC) for final permitting under a new provision approved by the legislature in 2022 called opt-in, the first in the state to do so.

Largest in the world

The Darden Clean Energy Project, which more than rivals the largest solar battery storage combination in the world, is located in Kern County at Edwards Air Force Base and is said to be about 4,000 acres. It houses 1.9 million solar panels and generates 3287MWh for the battery storage facility. The Kern County project also does not include a hydrogen manufacturing component.

In terms of the hydrogen plant at the Darden site, the capacity at 220 tons of hydrogen a day compares to just three tons a day at the largest existing hydrogen production plant on 324 acres also in Fresno County that started up last year led by a Spanish firm.

The CEC must find that Darden has submitted a complete application and then has 270 days to approve the project, which is considered a fast-track process in order to get more battery storage in California online sooner.

Hydrogen’s flexibility as a fuel source including for transportation, industrial, and power generation sectors and its ability to be stored is helped by new tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act. Producing only water as a byproduct hydrogen can be injected into the natural gas distribution system managed by utilities like SoCal Gas and PG&E. Add the synergy of combining solar power generation and hydrogen manufacturing – the process is given a big boost by the power from the sun typically on-site.

Lawsuit in Tulare County

In Pixley in Tulare County, another company is proposing to build a 1.2 million square-foot 28-acre hydrogen plant that will manufacture, store and distribute pressurized liquid hydrogen fuel for trucks and include 114 acres of solar power generation. The location of the $120 million plant is at the southwest corner of Avenue 120 and Road 120 near Highway 99.

Last summer the County of Tulare determined their project was allowed by right under the CEQA common sense exemption since the property was already located in a manufacturing zone. In March 2024 a citizen group with members from Pixley filed a lawsuit objecting that the county had not properly followed CEQA rules and should require a full impact report.

Oil company wants in

Also this spring, Chevron New Energies, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., announced it is developing a 5-megawatt hydrogen production project in Lost Hills.

The project aims to create lower carbon energy by utilizing solar power, land, and non-potable produced water from Chevron’s existing assets at the Lost Hills Oil Field in Kern County. This low carbon intensity electrolytic hydrogen will be produced through electrolysis, which is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

“Hydrogen can play a vital role in our journey toward a lower carbon future,” said Austin Knight, vice president for hydrogen at Chevron New Energies.

Blending hydrogen

Use of hydrogen will hit the retail market in Orange Cove says SoCalGas.

At the direction of the California Public Utilities Commission, SoCalGas is proposing a local demonstration project that could safely blend up to 5% clean, renewable hydrogen into the natural gas system serving approximately 10,000 residents, along with commercial customers in the City of Orange Cove, in Fresno County.

SoCalGas is proposing an 18-month demonstration project that will blend clean, renewable hydrogen serving residents and businesses. This project would offer a real-world environment to better understand how clean hydrogen and natural gas can be safely delivered to customers in the future. This is part of a broader effort by California and utilities to develop a standard for safe hydrogen blending, which could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, says the company.

 

https://hanfordsentinel.com/business/hydrogen-projects-sprout-in-the-valley-john-lindt/article_2bb4ee2f-d177-5e65-ae81-3c037848c76b.amp.html

By Faughn Economy • Energy • Renewable Energy 0 Comments

Valley To Receive $13 Million In Federal Funding for Electric School Bus Fleets

Millions in federal funding is coming to the Central Valley to purchase electric school buses.

Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) announced $13 million in federal funding to purchase new electric for school districts across the Central Valley.

Fresno Unified and Selma Unified will receive a combined $8 million in federal funding. The funding comes through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Costa voted to pass through Congress.

“Fleets of clean electric school buses are coming to the San Joaquin Valley thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These investments will improve the air we breathe and save money for our school districts while building a more sustainable future for our children,” said Representative Jim Costa.

Borne out of the Biden’s Administration bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA Clean School Bus Program received an unprecedented $5 Billion to transform the country’s school bus fleet.

It funds clean electric buses that produce zero tailpipe emissions and propane and compressed natural gas buses, which produce lower tailpipe emission than their older diesel predecessors.

Fresno Unified will receive $6.625 million in rebate funding to purchase 25 electric school buses.

Selma Unified will receive $1.38 million in rebate to purchase four clean school buses.

Caruthers Unified will receive to $345,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.

Los Banos Unified has been selected to receive $2.4 million in rebate funding to purchase seven clean school buses.

Sierra Unified in Fresno County will receive $800,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.

Wasco Union Elementary in Kern County will receive $1.38 million in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.

Costa wasn’t the only congressman to announce millions coming to the Central Valley this week.

At a check presentation held at the Tranquility Library Branch, Congressman John Duarte presented a check of $5 million in funding to Fresno County for infrastructure improvements in Tranquility and Cantua Creek.

Fresno County’s Cantua Creek and El Porvenir Sidewalk Improvements Project will receive $2 million in funding.

The Tranquility Complete Streets Project will be receiving $3 million in federal community funding.

The projects include a variety of efforts to improve motorist and pedestrian safety, increase accessibility for disabled residents and to reduce chronic flooding.

https://thebusinessjournal.com/valley-to-receive-13-million-in-federal-funding-for-electric-school-bus-fleet/

By Faughn Economy • Energy 0 Comments

Feds Award $623 Million in Grants To Deploy Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

About $623 million in federal grants were awarded to 22 states and Puerto Rico to install electric vehicle charging stations as part of the Biden administration’s push to shift the United States away from gas-powered vehicles.

Cities, states and tribal groups nationwide were named recipients Thursday for funding to install chargers along heavily traveled highways and in underserved areas. The grants are part of a broader $7.5 billion program by the Biden administration to advance the adoption of electric vehicles. Additional grants are expected to be announced later.

Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Hyundai and other auto makers are spending billions of dollars to construct factories for electric vehicles and the lithium-ion batteries that power them. Federal and state governments are pushing for the transition to EVs to combat climate change.

The private sector has ramped up efforts to install EV charging stations at retailers, apartment developments, gas stations and other locations. But there remains a dearth of electric vehicle charging stations, causing consumers to worry about getting stranded if their electric vehicle runs out of power and they’re not close to a charging station.

The first EV charging stations funded through the federal program opened last month at a Pilot truck stop in London, Ohio, and in a Bank of America parking lot in Kingston, New York. The new round of grants is expected to accelerate the expansion, with some organizations saying they will immediately begin the process of doling out the funds for installation.

Representatives from winning areas issued statements on Thursday about their plans. The Atlanta Regional Commission said it expects installation backed by its $6.1 million award to take place over the next 12 to 18 months. The planning organization will prioritize groups that will use the funds to put chargers in underserved areas, CEO Anna Roach said in a news release.

The Atlanta Regional Commission did not disclose details of the types of chargers it will deploy, or the equipment manufacturers or charging networks. A spokesman for the organization said that specific locations will be announced later.

The city of Mesa, Arizona, received $12 million to install charging stations as well as charging docks for e-bicycles and e-scooters. “It’ll mean convenience for drivers, lower emissions and even more good-paying clean energy jobs,” U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, who represents Mesa, said in a news release.

The private sector has already stepped up its game on EV charger installations. Mercedes-Benz in November released images for its planned network of canopy-covered charging stations, which will carry the Mercedes brand and offer perks to Mercedes drivers.

Not all grants will be used specifically for charging equipment designed for vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries. A group of local governments in Texas received $70 million to build five hydrogen fueling stations for trucks along highways in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.

The next three largest awards announced Thursday were $64 million to New Mexico; $56 million for the Central Valley of California; and $51 million to Puerto Rico. Metropolitan areas that were awarded grants included New York City; Cleveland, Ohio; the San Francisco Bay area; Durham, North Carolina; and Boise, Idaho.

Other grant recipients announced Thursday include:

  • $56 million for truck-charging stations in Taft and Gustine, towns in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. The stations will also include chargers for light-duty vehicles.
  • $15 million to the state of Maryland to develop charging stations in urban, suburban and low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Coppin State University in Baltimore was named as a potential location in Maryland.
  • $12 million for an EV charging center for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles on Interstate 15 in Barstow, California, halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
  • $10 million to New Jersey for charging stations at multifamily developers in disadvantaged areas and near public transit stations.
  • $1.4 million to the Chilkoot Indian Association to build a charging station in Haines, Alaska.

https://www.costar.com/article/323873751/feds-award-623-million-in-grants-to-deploy-electric-vehicle-charging-stations

By Faughn Energy 0 Comments

Navy renews plan for energy project on NAS Lemoore farmland | Around Kings County

It’s back and it could be big. The US Navy has dusted off plans that have been shelved for the past 10 years, offering to lease 11,000 acres of farmland surrounding the NAS Lemoore base for energy production.

In a release made public Feb. 12, the Navy says it is taking this first step in the process by issuing a “Request for Interest” (RFI) seeking information from interested parties on a potential long-term lease for commercial development and operation of critical energy resiliency infrastructure and/or water utility options on 11,000 +/- acres of underutilized, non-excess agriculture land.”

The Navy says they want to look at energy and/or water development opportunities that “will help mitigate threats posed by wildfires and other natural disasters, climate change, water supply shortages, bird air strikes, an unreliable electric grid, as well as cyber and kinetic attacks.”

What is the goal? Like all US military bases, the Navy wants to improve “Energy Security solutions that mitigate the effects of supply disruptions on mission essential functions.”

What’s the worry? Grid blackout caused by a slew of dangers from cyber attacks, strong storms, extreme heat or wildfire that can shut down power that the base depends on. Worries also surround water disruptions brought on by extreme weather — both drought and floods that could pose an actual national security issue that would be out of the military’s control.

The Navy says they do not want to pay a developer for power generated or water improvements but if a project is built, they want to receive “an uninterrupted supply of energy and water necessary” as a (IKC) in-kind-consideration — to carry on with base operations despite any crisis. The developer could offer the power for sale on the market as the incentive to make what will be a major investment.

If the base is potentially vulnerable, it also offers an opportunity to develop both on-base power and water improvements. The notice points out that the base is near critical California electric grid infrastructure and offers geographical features, flat land with sufficient sun and wind, that could support additional energy infrastructure and/or water utility development.

Industry Day Feb. 29

The government will be offering an Industry Day on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 that will provide all interested entities an opportunity to participate in a site tour to view and walk portions of the proposed leased premises.

“NAS Lemoore is host to approximately 20,000 acres of federally-owned rural agricultural land. The secure operational and administrative areas are surrounded by 11,000 acres of prolific agriculture lands with more than 10,000 acres out-leased for agricultural production. The active cultivation of these farming operations have been critical in reducing bird air strikes, as the periodic discing and turning of soil reduces the bird population by frustrating the ground prey base. However, the farming operations are water intensive.”

Therefore, the notice says ”any development ideas in response to this RFI must support the installation’s mission activities and positively contribute to the energy and water goals.”

This is not the first time the US Navy has considered a solar project on their ag land here. A solar energy project at Naval Air Station Lemoore that was “first announced in 2015 is still moving forward,” according to NAVFAC Southwest Energy, it was reported last year. At that time the Navy was working with an Arizona utility affiliate to build a project. Now they have apparently opened the bidding to other developers.

Our past reporting noted “The idea is to ensure the base can operate even if faced with loss of power from the grid. Emergencies like wildfires in California have put portions of the state at risk of going dark with PG&E impacted.”

Notice that this time the Navy has added water resiliency as well as power projects. The base is surrounded by Westland Water District who just announced an expansion of solar projects on their land. They explain that California has set its sights on 100% clean energy. “By 2045, and the Central Valley will play a vital role in getting there. The same Mediterranean climate that make Westlands an ideal farming location, make it well-suited for solar. As water supplies have become more unreliable, farmers have turned to solar development as an alternative use for the land.”

The Navy request offers the possibility to use up to 11,000 acres – what could be a huge solar farm next to the base, possibly one of the largest in the US. Consider that nearby the Westland Solar Park that includes 12 large solar array facilities will, when built out, sprawl over 20,000 acres producing 2700 MW of power.

The Kings County Assessor says the value of big solar projects in the county as of June 2023 was $142.5 million. Even though this potential project would be on federal lands, the lease of the acreage would be taxed.

https://hanfordsentinel.com/business/navy-renews-plan-for-energy-project-on-nas-lemoore-farmland-around-kings-county/article_e4c87661-537f-5779-931d-3627a512b804.html

By Faughn Energy 0 Comments

MASSIVE BATTERY FARM IN WORKS FOR SJ COUNTY

A battery energy storage complex that could provide the energy needs of 300,000 homes concurrently is being proposed 22 miles to the southwest of Manteca.

The 400-megawatt storage facility would tie into PG&E’s Tesla substation near the Alameda-San Joaquin County line.

As such, one day it could store electricity needed to help power homes and businesses in Manteca, Ripon, and Lathrop as California moves toward a goal of 100 percent “clean” energy by 2045.

Such battery storage farms are needed in order to save excess electricity generated when the sun is out, and the wind is blowing for use when solar panels and/or wind turbines aren’t generating power.

The Korda Energy Storage project will consist of 500 free standing batteries that are each 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 9.5 feet tall.

It will be one of the largest, if not the largest, battery energy storage farm in California when it becomes operational.

The project before the San Joaquin County Planning Commission when they meet Thursday at 6 p.m. in Stockton will be four times larger than a similar facility getting ready to move forward in Ripon.

The Ripon project with a capacity of 100 megawatts is being pursued immediately west of the Flying J Truck Plaza.

It is planned for a 4.9-acre triangle parcel bordered on the north by Santos Avenue, on the east by Frontage Road along with Highway 99, and Flying J.

A PG&E substation is located in the southern part of the property.

The Tesla mega battery packs — or similar batteries — will be placed in 11 rows. Eight of those rows will go the width of the property with eight feet between rows. The longest row will approach 600 feet in length.

Three shorter rows of battery packs will be place east of the Ripon substation.

The county project being proposed is south of Tracy along Patterson Pass Road some 2,000 feet south of Midway Road.

The 40-acre Korda site with be about 9/10th of a mile east of Interstate 580.

It is part of a 106-acre agricultural parcel. A $30,000 fee will need to be paid for withdrawing the 40 acres out of a Williamson Act contract that sets property assessments at a lower rate to help assure the economic viability of farming.

The 400-megawatt storage facility has a 35-year life expectancy. It is expected to be operational by 2025.

One megawatt, on average, supplies the needs of 750 homes.

For an idea of what that means, it is enough power for 26,000 plus homes or the equivalent of 11.5 cities the size of Manteca.

Manteca has roughly 26,000 housing units and a population of 90,000.

PG&E as of the end of 2023 had contracts for battery energy storage systems totaling more than 3,330 MW of capacity being deployed throughout California through 2024.

https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/massive-battery-farm-works-sj-county/

By Faughn Energy 0 Comments

Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit (48C) Program

The Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit (48C) program was established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and expanded with a $10 billion investment under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The Advanced Energy Project Credit provides a tax credit for investments in advanced energy projects, as defined in 26 USC § 48C(c)(1).

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service, in partnership with DOE, have announced up to $4 billion in a first round of tax credits for projects that expand clean energy manufacturing and recycling and critical materials refining, processing and recycling, and for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions at industrial facilities.

Approximately $1.6 billion of this allocation will be set aside for projects in designated energy communities. The program will provide an investment tax credit of up to 30% of qualified investments for certified projects that meet prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.

https://www.energy.gov/infrastructure/qualifying-advanced-energy-project-credit-48c-program