To reach 100% renewable energy, we will need to store large amounts of energy generated from “intermittent” sources — things like solar or wind that only produce power sometimes. Large-scale industrial battery storage is one way to store this energy. But a recent fire at the Moss Landing battery facility in Monterey County has some folks concerned. A recent battery proposal in Blue Lake, for example, was met with some skepticism.

On Wednesday, July 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, in collaboration with the Schatz Energy Research Center, is hosting a free public workshop on grid-supporting battery energy storage at the D Street Neighborhood Center (1301 D Street, Arcata). The event will feature a presentation and panel discussion that explores how large-scale utility battery storage works, its role in supporting California’s grid, and how storage projects can differ in purpose, safety, size and benefits.

Richard Engel of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority joins this week’s show to give a preview of how batteries feature into the Redwood Coast Energy Authority’s work to transition our energy away from fossil fuels.

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