Tesla Batteries installed at PWD Boosters

Palmdale, CA – Committed to using more renewable energy and ensuring the continuance of water delivery despite emergency power shutoffs, Palmdale Water District (PWD) now has two of its water boosters equipped with Tesla batteries as backup power.

The Tesla batteries will provide electricity to the water boosters so that water supplies to a couple hundred customers will not be affected during Public Safety Power Shutoffs by Southern California Edison (SCE). The battery project is supported by two grants totaling $1.5 million that was awarded to PWD from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Self- Generation Incentive Program.

“These batteries provide backup power at no cost to us,” PWD Board President Gloria Dizmang said. “It offsets some of our capital costs and, in turn, saves our ratepayers money. It is important that we continue to actively participate in renewable energy so that we can run more efficiently.”

The batteries are at the underground booster at El Camino Drive and Lakeview Drive

and at Well 5’s booster at Barrel Springs Road. Costs were $628,000 and 884,000, respectively. The grants were awarded based on Palmdale being prone to fires and its classification as a disadvantaged community.

“We are very pleased that the Tesla batteries are in place,” said PWD Assistant General Manager Adam Ly. “This will alleviate some of the concerns customers may have about power outages affecting their ability to get water. We are always looking for new technology to prepare for these power outages that are becoming more common.”

For the underground booster, the battery pack provides 696 kilowatt-hour (kWh) while the Well 5 booster is equipped with batteries providing 928 kWh. The batteries operate on a 200 milli-second timeframe, kicking on when SCE turns off power to the area. They recharge when power returns. Tesla is scheduled to manage the batteries for five years, Ly said.

Within months, another set of Tesla batteries will be installed at PWD’s booster site on 45th Street East. This battery pack will provide 2965 kWh.

Since 1918, the Palmdale Water District has provided high-quality water at a reasonable cost. We pride ourselves on providing great customer care; advocating for local water issues that help our residents; educating the community on water-use efficiency; and leading our region in researching and implementing emerging technologies that increase operational efficiency. For more information about PWD, visit www.palmdalewater.org.

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