Hydrostor announces that its application for certification is data adequate
by CM Staff
This milestone will officially initiate the public environmental review process for the project.
Hydrostor announces that its application for certification is data adequate
TORONTO — Hydrostor Inc., a long-duration energy storage solution provider, announced on Jul. 19 that the California Energy Commission determined that Hydrostor’s Application for Certification for its 500 MW/4,000 MWh Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage project in Kern County, California is Data Adequate. This milestone will officially initiate the public environmental review process for the project. The Willow Rock Energy Storage Center will be located north of the Los Angeles Basin near the community of Rosamond.
Also, earlier this year, Hydrostor received confirmation that the California Independent System Operator allocated the full 500 MW of resource deliverability for Willow Rock. This enabled Hydrostor to continue ongoing offtake negotiations with various counter parties, with the vast majority of project capacity now shortlisted or in exclusive negotiations.
A-CAES is using commercially proven equipment and processes to provide emissions-free long-duration energy storage. A-CAES operates similar to pumped hydro power, with the key difference being that it reportedly utilizes up to 10x less land and 20x less water, with less siting constraints when compared to equivalent sized systems.
Willow Rock will employ a peak construction workforce of 800 skilled workers totaling 2 million total work hours. The project will reportedly contribute to the local economy, providing over $500 million of regional direct and indirect economic impacts.
“Long duration energy storage (“LDES”) technologies are making significant contributions to ensure the reliability of California’s electric grid. It is imperative that California create strong investment signals and devise regulatory frameworks for innovative technologies like LDES to continue to expand clean energy markets and move us toward a net-zero future.” said Julia Souder, Executive Director, Long Duration Energy Storage Council.
“Kern EDC is very excited to hear that Hydrostor has met this important milestone. Long duration energy storage is a perfect fit for Kern County as our region has led the way in the development of renewable energy in California”, said Richard Chapman, President & CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation.
Curtis VanWalleghem, Hydrostor’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Hydrostor is thrilled that one of its first large-scale commercial projects will be in California – a state that is long known for its entrepreneurial innovations and commitment to leading the clean energy future.”
The CEC will be commencing stakeholder meetings in the Rosamond community next month.
