Batteries to Store Wind Power in California

More news from the energy-storage front. I tell you, this sector is hopping!

The Modesto Bee reports that Primus Power Corp. in Alameda, Calif., recently won a $14 million federal grant to develop batteries that will store 25 megawatts of green electricity. The Modesto, Calif., Irrigation District's wind energy will send juice to the batteries, and the stored energy will be sold during periods of peak demand.

Doing so will displace some of the power generated from natural gas.

The Modesto Irrigation District provides electricity, irrigation and surface water treatment to parts of California's Central Valley. It wants to get 20% of its power from renewable sources by 2017, according to the Bee. The District will take part in a 5-year demonstration of the batteries at no cost to its ratepayers.