en.Wedoany.com Reported - REV Renewables (REV), an LS Power company and a leading developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy and energy storage projects, has officially commenced operations at the Tumbleweed Energy Storage Facility in Kern County, California, making it the state's first eight-hour battery energy storage system. The project was inaugurated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a new phase in grid reliability and clean energy integration.
The project was developed in collaboration with Ava Community Energy and California Community Power (CC Power) on behalf of all its participating members—CleanPowerSF, Peninsula Clean Energy, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, San José Clean Energy, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Sonoma Clean Power, and Valley Clean Energy, representing all Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) serving Northern California—and has met the procurement requirements of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ahead of schedule. The early commissioning underscores the shared commitment of all parties to accelerating California's clean energy transition while enhancing grid resilience.
The Tumbleweed facility represents a significant shift in how battery storage supports the grid. Five years ago, energy storage projects primarily provided ancillary services lasting seconds or minutes, while the industry has since evolved to four-hour systems. Tumbleweed's eight-hour discharge capability makes it one of the first projects capable of shifting solar energy generated during the day on a large scale to power homes and businesses at night, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering emissions, and enhancing grid reliability.
Leuwam Tesfai, Executive Director of the CPUC, stated that this project is the first eight-hour long-duration energy storage system developed under the CPUC's Integrated Resource Planning procurement requirements, demonstrating how forward-looking policies can accelerate the deployment of next-generation grid infrastructure in the most cost-effective manner, helping to build a more resilient, reliable, affordable, and carbon-free power system for California communities.
Howard Chang, CEO of Ava Community Energy, noted that as a nonprofit public agency, the organization is committed to providing cleaner energy at competitive prices to the communities it serves in Alameda County and San Joaquin County. He stated that long-duration energy storage projects like Tumbleweed are critical to fulfilling this commitment, and the collaboration with REV on the eight-hour battery project enhances grid reliability and accelerates the clean energy transition. Alexander Morris, General Manager of CC Power, said that the Tumbleweed project is CC Power's first operational resource, representing an example of the agency's procurement of innovative and emerging technology resources for its members, highlighting the role of CCAs in advancing California's clean energy goals.
Ed Sondey, CEO of REV Renewables, stated that Tumbleweed is the first eight-hour battery energy storage system within the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), reflecting the company's leadership in developing innovative energy storage solutions at scale, and thanked the partners for their shared commitment and vision.
As part of the ribbon-cutting celebration, REV announced a $5,000 investment in the Kern County Economic Development STEM Women's Scholarship Program and a $2,500 investment in the Rosamond Little League to support educational opportunities, youth development, and the long-term vitality of the community.
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