Southern California Edison has awarded S&C a contract to furnish a turnkey 1-MW S&C Smart Grid SMS Storage Management System on Catalina Island, off the coast of California. The Smart Grid SMS is a fast-responding automatic controller that uses built-in intelligence to control charging and discharging of sodium-sulfur batteries.

The energy storage system will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the island’s diesel generators, according to S&C. With no tie to the mainland, the diesel generators are not best equipped to handle power demand, which fluctuates throughout the day. By deploying stored energy during times of peak power demand, the Smart Grid SMS permits Catalina Island generators to run at a specific percentage of capacity for optimal performance and decreased carbon emissions.

“Working with an islanded grid poses unique challenges for reliable power delivery,” says Thomas Barker, Senior Engineer, Southern California Edison. “Installing a comprehensive storage system helps us run more efficiently and reduce our emissions – all while effectively managing load changes to ensure consistent service for our 3,000 island residents plus the many visitors to the island.”

“Energy storage enhances utilization of renewable energy resources, and it reduces the need for fossil-fuel-fired generation to serve peak demand and maintain a stable grid,” said Jim Sember, S&C vice president—Power Quality Products.