Dive Brief:
- The Valley Electric Association, a Nevada electric cooperative, is backing a $40 million project designed to add 50 MW of rail energy storage to the California grid.
- Self-propelled train cars filled with concrete would be kept at the top of sloped railroads. When the grid needs to be balanced, the cars would be released to roll down the hill to staging yards. The power generated would be delivered to the grid via above-ground or underground transmission lines.
- The project would use existing railroad lines, as well as a further planned 8,000 feet of track. If approved, the project could be up and running by 2016.
Dive Insight:
Rail energy storage works on the same principle as hydroelectric energy storage, but is more efficient for stabilizing the grid at short notice as it takes less time to deploy. Using renewable resources like rail storage to balance the grid fits into the long-term commitment to increase reliance on renewables across the grid.
Jim Kelly, CEO of Advanced Rail Energy Storage of North America, said the project could feasibly provide 3 gigawatts of capacity, with up to 24 gigawatt-hours of energy storage.