Energy Storage

As we build a clean energy future and add more renewable power to our mix, we’re also developing energy storage so we can make the best use of those resources.

Power generation from resources like the wind and the sun can vary dramatically from hour to hour, day to day. For example, the wind often blows more steadily at night, when less power is required because people are sleeping and businesses are closed.*

The solution: Storing energy to meet demand

A renewable future requires us to ensure that when those fluctuating wind and solar sources are making energy, we can gather it and save it until the moment you need it. That’s where battery storage comes in.

Reserving energy: When the wind is blowing and the sun is shining, most of the electricity generated by renewable resources goes to powering homes and businesses, while excess energy from these resources and other generation sources charges up battery storage projects for later use. Battery power acts as energy reserves, ready to quickly deliver electricity to customers as soon as it's needed. Download this infographic

Providing reliable power: When less power is available from renewable energy resources, due to weather conditions or unexpected interruptions, batteries step in. Rather than purchasing power from energy markets or relying on other forms of generation, PGE can dispatch stored energy directly to customers. This bolsters reliability, reduces emissions and helps manage costs. Download this infographic

Additional storage solutions

New battery projects will be added to our growing list of energy storage solutions, which include:

• A 5 MW storage system at our Port Westward II generating plant. The project allows PGE to meet reliability requirements for reserve power more efficiently, reducing fuel use and emissions at the plant while keeping it ready to snap into service at a moment’s notice.

• A 5 MW lithium-ion battery and inverter system at the Salem Smart Power Center, which provides backup power for the regional grid and operates as a smart grid research center.

• A .25 MW (250 kW) storage system at the Beaverton Public Safety Center microgrid, which pairs with on-site solar to deliver clean and resilient power, capable of self-sustaining facility operations in the event of an outage.

• 30 MW of battery storage, owned by NextEra Energy Resources, at the Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility, a first-of-its-scale project to combine wind, solar and battery storage at one location. PGE purchases the output and storage capacity from Wheatridge to serve customers.

• Additional battery storage projects ranging from 0.5 MW to 17 MW are currently in development.

In addition to integrating batteries into our generation portfolio, PGE is empowering customers and community organizations to achieve their energy storage goals. Our Smart Battery pilot offers credits to customers who connect their batteries to the grid, and our upcoming round of grants through the Renewable Development Fund will prioritize battery storage projects in the community.