San Vicente Reservoir Eyed For Renewable Energy Facility

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Plans are in the works for an energy storage facility at the San Vicente Reservoir in San Diego's East County that could ease pressure on electric grids by producing locally generated renewable energy, according to the San Diego County Water Authority.

The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on Thursday authorized the Water Authority, in conjunction with the City of San Diego, to begin seeking detailed proposals for the project that also would lessen upward pressure on water rates by providing a new source of revenue, officials said.

The San Vicente Energy Storage Facility would provide up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy and increase the region's electric grid stability during peak times for energy use, according to the board.

"We wanted to find out if there really is a broad desire among potential stakeholders to see a project like this in our region, and now we know there is," board chair Mark Muir said. "We're now going to gather more details about how it could come together for the benefit of ratepayers."

The potential project would consist of an interconnection and pumping system between the existing San Vicente Reservoir and a new, smaller reservoir located uphill.

The system would be used during off-peak energy-use periods to pump water uphill to the new upper reservoir, creating in it a bank of stored hydroelectric energy.

By City News Service

Image via San Diego County Water Authority/Facebook