Currently in the midst of a controversial rate case, the utility seeks to spend $2.1 billion to invest in modernizing the grid and preparing for the influx of distributed energy resources. The plan includes upgrading the grid to handle the two-way power flows of rooftop solar systems and other distributed resources. It would also invest heavily electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a key part of the utility’s plan to clean up the transportation sector and grow demand. Currently 28.2% of its power mix comes from renewables, and SCE is on track to meet the RPS a decade early.
SCE has swiftly deployed energy storage to meet the state’s goal to replace lost capacity from the Aliso Canyon methane leaks. The utility stirred up the power sector in 2015 when it announced plans to purchase 250 MW of storage in one fell swoop — five times the amount required by regulators. At the beginning of 2017, SCE boasted roughly 400 MW of storage under contract.
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