May 1, 2017
Proposals Sought for Potential Energy Storage Facility
 
The Water Authority Board of Directors on April 27 authorized staff, in conjunction with the City of San Diego, to begin seeking detailed proposals for a potential energy storage facility at San Vicente Reservoir. The project could help ease pressure on electric grids by producing locally generated renewable energy on demand, and also lessen upward pressure on water rates by providing a new source of revenue.

In January, the Water Authority and the city reached out to electric utilities, developers, investors and energy off-takers -- other entities wishing to purchase the services that this project would provide -- through a Request for Letters of Interest to measure outside interest in participating in the potential San Vicente Energy Storage Facility. The project, which would provide up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy and increase the region's electric grid stability during peak times for energy use, garnered significant interest through the advertised request.

The Water Authority received responses to the request from 18 qualified parties. These included five full-service entities that would finance, design, permit, build, and operate the potential project and secure an off-taker for the produced energy. Other respondents included two developers, five off-takers, and six other parties interested in constructing the project, providing equipment for the project, or serving as a consultant for engineering, procurement, and construction services.

Live WaterSmart Photo Contest Launched

In celebration of Water Awareness Month, the Water Authority launched the Live WaterSmart photo contest on May 1 to highlight the value of water and promote water-use efficiency as a lifestyle regardless of the weather.
 
The photo contest will be hosted on Instagram (@sdcwa) through May 31. To participate, take a photo that demonstrates how water is an essential part of your life -- indoors or outdoors -- and submit it to sdcwa@sdcwa.org.
 
Sponsors such as the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, SeaWorld and The Cravory have donated great prizes, and the first 20 people who submit eligible photos will receive two tickets to the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.
 
Click here for contest rules and guidelines.
Did you See?

Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer wrote an opinion piece for the Sacramento Bee on April 27 to share her views about seawater desalination.

"I wrote many bills that created grants and loans for desalination plants in order to encourage this technology. I wrote a letter in 2015 supporting the proposed Huntington Beach Desalination plant after visiting Poseidon Water's 50 million gallon per day Carlsbad facility, which is so impressively built and operated," she said.

Click here to read the article.
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