Tesla's Energy Policy Adviser to Participate in Panel on Energy Storage Systems

Upcoming Council meeting includes a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of implementing energy storage technologies in the Northwest

The Council's upcoming meeting on Tuesday, October 11 in Portland will include a panel discussion by industry leaders on efforts to bring energy storage technologies into the region's energy grid.

The Council develops a power plan to ensure the region of a reliable and low-cost power supply. Energy storage technologies could help integrate renewable resources like wind and solar into the system. They can also, through electric vehicle batteries and at the utility level, be used as back-up power in emergency situations.

Panelists include Patrick Balducci, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Rebecca O'Neil, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; John Gibson, Avista Utilities; Russ Weed, UniEnergy Technologies; and Sarah Van Cleve, Tesla.

Pumped storage is another example of energy storage that the Council has been tracking. Last year, a presentation on a proposed project at Banks Lake highlighted its benefits and challenges.

The Council encourages citizen engagement in its decisionmaking and its meetings are open to the public.