The Copper Valley Energy Storage Center is a 500 MW Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) facility that is currently in early-stage development in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of Arizona. As Arizona’s population and economy continues to grow, regional utilities project that peak electricity demand could increase by more than 40 percent. To reliably and affordably meet this demand, large-scale, long duration energy storage will play a critical role. A-CAES supports the integration of expanding renewable energy resources by storing surplus generation and delivering it back to the grid when it’s needed most. This capability provides the flexibility and resilience required for Arizona’s long-term, sustainable energy future.
About the project
As Arizona modernizes its grid infrastructure for the exponential growth the state has experienced in recent years, A-CAES will provide reliable energy security for communities and businesses.
The Copper Valley Energy Storage Center will create over 700 construction jobs, bring over $500 million in direct and indirect benefits to the local economy, and leverage proven technology that is built and operated by skilled jobs similar to the oil & gas industry and the utility industry, providing stable, long-term employment opportunities.
The proposed Center will discharge 4,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, capable of delivering 8+ hours of energy delivery on a full charge.
Project highlights
Benefits
Driving economic growth
With a 50+ year lifetime, the facility will provide a stable revenue source for local communities. A-CAES plants use standard components and enable workers from the fossil-fuel industry to transfer existing skills and continue their careers in the energy industry. The project will support diversified wage job opportunities and generate significant regional economic development from both the construction and operation of the project.
Electricity Grid Benefits
Copper Valley will allow Arizona’s attractive and growing solar resources to be directly converted into reliable, on-demand electricity for the greater Phoenix region and the broader Arizona grid for decades in the future, supporting the development of new data centers and businesses while keeping electricity affordable for other users.
Supports the integration of renewables on a compact footprint
Copper Valley will allow Arizona to make the most of the renewable resources already on its grid, reducing renewable curtailments to better allow these intermittent resources to meet growing demand. The Project will do this on a compact footprint, providing over 500 MW of energy storage on ~100 acres, and using 10 times less water than an equivalently sized pumped hydro facility.
Support the growth of Greater Phoenix and Arizona
Stimulate Arizona’s economy by creating jobs
Improve grid reliability and affordability
Deploy proven technologies and existing workforce skills
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