Pullman project testing huge batteries to store energy

PULLMAN — If Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories’ manufacturing plant loses power during an outage, the company can turn to huge batteries on its campus for electricity.

The batteries could supply enough power to run most of the factory’s operations for about three hours.

A crowd of dignitaries, including Gov. Jay Inslee, turned out for the batteries’ activation on Thursday, recognizing the role they could play in solving a renewable energy conundrum.

The Western landscape holds enormous potential for wind and solar development, but utilities don’t have a cost-effective way to store that energy for later use, when the wind has died down and the sun isn’t shining. As a result, utilities have to build backup electrical generation — often carbon-emitting coal plants or gas-fired turbines.

“What we’re doing here is game-changing,” said Heather Rosentrater, Avista Utilities’ director of engineering. “When the wind is blowing, and the sun is shining, we’ll be able to store that abundant resource.”

Years of research have gone into the Vanadium Redox Flow batteries, which are being used in the $7 million Pullman test project. The 1-megawatt batteries have the largest storage capacity to date in North America. If they aren’t running Schweitzer Engineering’s factory, they could provide enough energy to meet the electrical needs of about 100 Pullman households.

Another way to think of it: the batteries can store the electrical output from one wind turbine, said David Whitehead, Schweitzer Engineering’ vice president of research and development.

That might sound small, he said, but it’s an enormous step forward in battery technology: “This is large-scale energy storage.”

Inslee compared the significance of the battery-storage work to the 1930s construction of Grand Coulee Dam, which remains North America’s largest hydropower producer.

“We’re laying the groundwork for the most transformative change in the electric grid system in 60 years,” Inslee said. “When we flip the switch today, we won’t just be making clean energy. We’ll be making a commitment to future generations.”

The batteries generating so much excitement are housed in two rows of metal shipping containers in Pullman’s industrial park. With the wind gusting across the Palouse, their initial charge probably included some electricity from nearby wind turbines in Rosalia.

Multiple companies and government agencies are involved in the battery storage project.

The U.S. Department of Energy funded the research for the batteries at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. The technology was licensed to UniEnergy Technologies of Mukilteo, Washington, which manufactured them.

Avista is putting $3.8 million into the Pullman test, which is also funded by a $3.2 million grant from the state’s Clean Energy Fund.

Over the next 18 months, Schweitzer Engineering will provide the real-world application for testing how the batteries work. The company produces sophisticated equipment for the electrical grid, which is sold in 147 countries.

During power outages, Schweitzer will use the batteries as a backup electrical source instead of diesel-fired generators. Electricity from the batteries is available almost instantly, while the generators take about 15 minutes to fire up, Whitehead said.

During extremely hot or cold days, when demand for electricity is high, Avista will also draw on the energy stored in the batteries to level out spikes in demand.

The Snohomish County Public Utilities District also is experimenting with battery storage. Testing of lithium ion batteries is underway by the utility, but those batteries store less energy. Snohomish PUD is planning a test with UniEnergy batteries used in Pullman.

“I think it’s interesting that these are being built,” said Tom Karier, Eastern Washington representative for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. “It’s the missing puzzle piece for clean energy resources in the Northwest. With storage, we’ll be able to meet the peak electrical requirements, which wind and solar can’t do now.”

Craig Lewis traveled from Menlo Park, California, to see the project. He’s the executive director of Clean Coalition, which advocates for increased use of renewable energy.

In California, state law requires utilities to start buying batteries that can store renewable energy. The state already gets about 23 percent of its electricity from wind, solar, biomass and geothermal production. The goal is to better integrate that electricity into the power grid, he said.

“We want to avoid building new fossil fuel generation,” Lewis said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.