California utility launches 1st hybrid power systems
NORWALK, Calif. — A California utility has launched unique systems combining a hybrid battery and gas turbine to produce and store electricity for use during hot summer months and other times when power demand soars.
The new Hybrid Electric Gas Turbines are the first of their kind in the world, officials with Southern California Edison and manufacturer General Electric said during an event this week near Los Angeles.
The systems will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by 60 percent and save millions of gallons of cooling water annually, Edison said.
There were no numbers on how much consumers might save. But officials said increased reliability and the reduced environmental effects will lead to significant cost reductions for the utility and that those savings will be passed on to customers .
Edison President Ron Nichols said the twin systems that went online March 30 operate somewhat like a hybrid car — drawing first on the battery, then switching to the gas turbine if power demands spike.
Energy output between is combined turbines and new 10-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage units. As a result, the systems do not burn fuel when they’re on stand-by, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
And they can be turned on immediately to push power into the grid to compensate for outages or increased demand. “The battery is there at the flick of a switch,” Nichols said.
The systems are running in Norwalk and Rancho Cucamonga at plants built to provide extra juice following an especially hot summer that strained the grid. The utility is exploring adding the hybrid systems to three other similar plants.