Glacier Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

In 2016, PSE installed a 2‑megawatt, 4.4‑megawatt‑hour battery energy storage system (BESS) next to the Glacier substation in Glacier, WA. The system consists of lithium‑ion batteries stored in four shipping containers.

We built the Glacier BESS as a demonstration project to learn how battery technology could support a small, remote community that experiences frequent outages. We planned to operate this project for about 10 years.

Why We Built the Glacier Battery

Through the Glacier BESS demonstration project, we wanted to test and learn how batteries could improve electric service in three ways:

• Provide short‑term backup power to Glacier’s downtown area during outages
• Reduce system load during periods of high electricity demand
• Help balance energy supply and demand, especially when integrating renewable energy such as wind and solar

What We Learned

The Glacier BESS provided backup power to 62 customers in Glacier’s downtown area during outages. It also reduced system load and supported grid balancing needs.

This demonstration project gave us valuable experience with the operations, performance, and challenges of battery energy storage systems. This knowledge will help guide future projects.

What’s Happening Now

The Glacier BESS is not operating. After evaluating several options, we determined that removing the system in phases is the safest and most effective solution for the community and the site.

We are working with industry experts to follow best practices during the BESS removal, including recycling the battery modules. We will provide notification and information to the community before this work begins.

The Glacier Location

Glacier is an unincorporated town of about 300 people in eastern Whatcom County, WA near Mt. Baker. One 55-kv radial transmission line* serves the town. The surrounding forested and rugged terrain can cause outages and longer restoration times. We appreciate that the community of Glacier could serve as a test location to help PSE understand how more remote, mountain communities experience outages and how we can advance work for increased reliability.

Project Testing and Use

In 2017 and 2018, PSE and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory tested the battery during six planned power outages. In 2019, the battery powered downtown Glacier for the first time during an unplanned outage, providing electricity for about four hours while crews repaired a damaged power line. The battery continued to support the Glacier community for several more years during unplanned outages.

Funding

The Washington State Department of Commerce provided a $3.8 million Smart Grid grant, and PSE invested $7.4 million in the Glacier BESS demonstration project.