What equipment is included in a substation?

A substation generally contains transformers, protective equipment (relays and circuit breakers), switches for controlling high-voltage connections, distribution feeders, electronic instrumentation to monitor system performance and record data, and fire-fighting equipment.

What is an energy storage system?

An energy storage system (ESS) for electricity generation uses electricity (or some other energy source, such as solar-thermal energy) to charge an energy storage system or device, which is discharged to supply (generate) electricity when needed at desired levels and quality. ESSs provide a variety of services to support electric power grids.

What is the power capacity of a battery energy storage system?

As of the end of 2022, the total nameplate power capacity of operational utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESSs) in the United States was 8,842 MW and the total energy capacity was 11,105 MWh. Most of the BESS power capacity that was operational in 2022 was installed after 2014, and about 4,807 MW was installed in 2022 alone.

How many flywheel energy storage systems are there in 2022?

In 2022, the United States had four operational flywheel energy storage systems, with a combined total nameplate power capacity of 47 MW and 17 MWh of energy capacity. Two of the systems, one in New York and one in Pennsylvania, each have 20 MW nameplate power capacity and 5 MWh of energy capacity.

Should ESS be paired with wind and solar power plants?

Pairing or co-locating an on-grid ESS with wind and solar energy power plants can allow those power plants to respond to supply requests (dispatch calls) from electric grid operators when direct generation from solar and wind resources is not available or limited.

How many energy storage projects are planned in 2023?

All other planned energy storage projects reported to EIA in various stages of development are BESS projects and have a combined total nameplate power capacity additions of 22,255 MW planned for installation in 2023 through 2026. About 13,881 MW of that planned capacity is co-located with solar photovoltaic generators.