Each electrical corporation’s renewable energy procurement plan, prepared and approved pursuant to Article 16 (commencing with Section 399.11) of Chapter 2.3 of Part 1, shall require the utility to procure new energy storage systems that are appropriate to allow the electrical corporation to comply with the energy storage system procurement targets and policies adopted pursuant to Section 2836. The plan shall address the acquisition and use of energy storage systems in order to achieve the following purposes:
(a) Integrate intermittent generation from eligible renewable energy resources into the reliable operation of the transmission and distribution grid.
(b) Allow intermittent generation from eligible renewable energy resources to operate at or near full capacity.
(c) Reduce the need for new fossil-fuel powered peaking generation facilities by using stored electricity to meet peak demand.
(d) Reduce purchases of electricity generation sources with higher emissions of greenhouse gases.
(e) Eliminate or reduce transmission and distribution losses, including increased losses during periods of congestion on the grid.
(f) Reduce the demand for electricity during peak periods and achieve permanent load-shifting by using thermal storage to meet air-conditioning needs.
(g) Avoid or delay investments in transmission and distribution system upgrades.
(h) Use energy storage systems to provide the ancillary services otherwise provided by fossil-fueled generating facilities.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 469, Sec. 2. (AB 2514) Effective January 1, 2011.)