PROJECT

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) With Black Start

We were the engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contractor for the Sentinel Energy Center battery energy storage system (BESS) project. The 17-megawatt (MW)/35-megawatt-hour (MWh) system is a novel application of black start capability for an LMS100 GE gas turbine using battery storage, reinforcing California’s energy grid against disruptions.

Black start capability — the ability to restore power plant operations after a total loss of power — means the Sentinel Energy Center can operate independently in a grid outage, enhancing system reliability and aligning with growing demand for energy resilience from the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and Southern California Edison. It also showcases the viability of battery storage in critical grid applications.

The energy center is one of the largest peaking generation plants in the United States, and its adoption of battery-backed black start sets a new standard for flexible grid support. This project also marks the first time our team has deployed large-scale utility batteries for black start applications, utilizing an EPC approach and using BYD MC Cube batteries connected to SMA inverters.

Client

Sentinel Energy Center, LLC

Location

Riverside County, California

Region

West

Services

Electric Power Generation

Construction

Black Start

Energy Storage

Industry

Power

Project Challenges Overcome

Integrating BESS technology with existing infrastructure required precise engineering and testing. The system was successfully tied into the plant’s electrical bus during a controlled 13-day outage, with testing completed ahead of schedule. Despite the project’s complexity, it was delivered ahead of schedule with zero recordable safety incidents.

Executing this project in the extreme summer conditions — temperatures consistently exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit — of California’s Coachella Valley posed challenges for construction crews. To mitigate heat-related risks, the team shifted concrete pouring and critical work to early morning hours, supporting safe and efficient execution.