GE is to build 30MW battery energy storage system for the Imperial Irrigation District in Southern California. This is GE’s third lithium ion storage project in recently months. GE anticipates project construction will begin early next year, with commercial operation scheduled for the third quarter of 2016.

“This project is a game changer to the energy industry and will be one of the largest battery storage plants in the western US,” said one commentator.

GE will provide Coachella Energy Storage Partners (CESP) with a 30MW battery energy storage system as part of CESP’s supply contract with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID). Representing GE’s largest energy storage project to date, the plant will be located in California’s Imperial Valley, approximately 100 miles east of San Diego.

The facility will aid grid flexibility and increase reliability on the IID network by providing solar ramping, frequency regulation, power balancing and black start capability for an adjacent gas turbine.

“We chose GE as the energy storage system provider for this project because they supplied the most comprehensive solution at a competitive price,” said Mike Abatti, president of CESP in a statement. “GE is well positioned to serve the needs of the project and will remain a stable, reliable technology provider as the energy storage industry evolves.”

GE will provide CESP with an integrated energy storage solution, configured using GE’s Mark VI plant controls, GE Brilliance MW inverters, GE Prolec transformers, medium-voltage switchgear and lithium ion batteries housed in a GE purpose-built enclosure. The plant will be operated by ZGlobal, an engineering collaborator with CESP, for the first 18 months, after which control will transfer to the IID.