Hawaii Unleashes the Power of the World’s Most Advanced Battery Storage System

Hawaii just powered up the world’s most advanced large-scale battery storage system! This groundbreaking project on Oahu Island helps accelerate the state’s shift to 100% renewable energy.

The new Kapolei Energy Storage plant houses 158 massive Tesla Megapack batteries across 8 acres near Honolulu. This high-tech facility packs a punch, delivering 185 megawatts and storing 565 megawatt-hours of electricity. That’s enough to power over 130,000 homes for a day!

Plus Power, the company behind the project, says Kapolei is the first battery system of its scale to balance an electric grid. The plant responds to grid needs in just 250 milliseconds – way faster than traditional power plants. This quick reaction time helps stabilize Oahu’s isolated power grid as more renewables come online.

The plant’s batteries play a pivotal role by reducing renewable energy waste by 69%. This allows Hawaiian Electric to integrate 10% more new solar and wind power than expected. Kapolei also provides “virtual inertia” to smooth grid power flows the way a spinning turbine would.

So how does Hawaii’s bold renewable energy vision tie in? Well, the state shut down its last coal power plant on September 1st, eliminating a major source of fossil fuel generation. Kapolei Energy Storage steps in to replace much of that capacity with a cleaner alternative.

Mark Glick, Hawaii’s Chief Energy Officer, says the launch aligns perfectly with the state’s commitment to “a cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy system for Hawaii.”

By using high-tech batteries, the pioneering Kapolei project brings Hawaii one stride closer to relying completely on sun, wind and other renewables. It’s a glimpse into the future of sustainable grids in the U.S. and beyond!