Microgrid at Marine air base will test long-duration energy storage viability

ESS Tech, a manufacturer of long-duration energy storage (LDES) systems for commercial and utility-scale energy storage applications, announced that it will participate in a utility-scale microgrid project at a Department of Defense (DoD) base.

The Rapid Integration and Commercialization Unit (RICU) at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is a living laboratory for testing how leading LDES technologies can be integrated into utility-scale microgrid applications. The RICU is a venture between Indian Energy, the California Energy Commission (CEC), and the DOD to validate LDES technologies.

Phase 2 of research at the RICU was funded by the CEC in May 2024 through a $4.85 million agreement between the CEC and Indian Energy to demonstrate the capabilities of LDES technologies. The partnership with Indian Energy lays the foundation for deployment on CEC grants and DOD installations.

Indian Energy is a Native American-owned microgrid developer and integrator with a history of helping Tribes and the military establish energy independence.

High energy costs and unreliable power are common challenges faced by sovereign territories. Microgrids can help provide resilience and predictable energy pricing in these areas. Maada’oozh, LLC, a Native American-owned energy and environmental services company, is providing the procurement, logistics, and maintenance services for Indian Energy and has been working closely with ESS to integrate the ESS Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) into the RICU.

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Over the next six months, project partners will demonstrate optimal use cases in the California energy market including solar peak shifting and grid ancillary services, after which time it will be placed into commercial operation. The RICU testing facility in Miramar, California includes a microgrid connected to a solar array and features multiple connection points for energy storage.

“Iron flow technology will provide safe, sustainable long-duration energy storage to Native communities across California and the United States,” said Nicole Reiter, vice president of development at Indian Energy. “We are pleased to partner with ESS to deploy this critical technology and ultimately deliver energy sovereignty to Native American communities throughout North America.”

“We are pleased that the California Energy Commission has chosen this project to demonstrate the critical role that long-duration energy storage and iron flow technology will play in delivering energy security to remote communities,” said Eric Dresselhuys, CEO of ESS. “We look forward to working with Indian Energy and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to deploy this project and continue to build the clean, secure energy future.”

According to a recent California Energy Commission report, LDES resources could grow up to 37GW by 2045, supporting the integration of intermittent renewable energy and enabling a decarbonised, affordable and reliable grid.

ESS iron flow technology is already deployed in California, with projects installed at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and Burbank Water and Power (BWP) and additional deployments announced and underway both in California and worldwide.

“The CEC is proud to continue its close partnership with Indian Energy and the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to advance long duration energy storage that can accelerate California’s clean energy progress,” added Jonah Steinbuck, director of the R&D Division at CEC.

“The Rapid Integration and Commercialization Unit is a uniquely capable facility for validating innovative long duration energy storage technologies and helping build the market confidence needed to scale these resources.”

Originally published by Sean Wolfe on Power Engineering.