How do energy storage systems work?
1
Electricity is generated.
2
Electricity is stored in energy storage.
3
Electricity is discharged from storage when demand is high and supply is low.
4
Transformer increases voltage of electricity.
5
Electricity travels through transmission lines.
6
Transformer decreases voltage of electricity.
7
Electricity travels through collection lines.
8
Electricity is delivered to customers.
The Need for Battery Energy Storage
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which manages California’s electricity grid, plans for substantial deployment of new energy storage projects over the next 10 years for grid reliability and resilience.
 
The electric grid in Santa Cruz County is vulnerable to service outages due to extreme local weather events and fire risk, as well as rolling blackouts due to extreme weather and fire risk in other parts of California that could prevent power from reaching Santa Cruz County.
 
Battery storage capacity has grown in California to keep the state’s power grid operating smoothly, even amid record heat waves in 2024.
But electricity demand has increased significantly over the last decade and is anticipated to continue due to planned population growth and increased electrification in the housing, transportation and agriculture sectors locally and throughout California.
This growth makes battery energy storage a critical infrastructure needed to support energy reliability throughout the state.
Battery Energy Storage Systems
Energy storage systems are an essential component of a modern, resilient grid. Developing safe, reliable and effective energy storage systems is a priority to support the use of new energy sources.
Electrical grid operators need to match energy supply and demand at a moment’s notice. Energy storage enables the efficient delivery of reliable power from nearby energy sources when people need it most – even during extreme weather or other events that stress the grid.
The Seahawk Energy Storage Project would connect to existing transmission lines. The batteries will charge from the utility grid and store excess electricity during times of excess supply, then provide power back to the grid during high usage periods.
