In January, Energy-Storage. Southern California utility Imperial Irrigation District ( IID ) has successfully demonstrated the use of a battery energy storage system ( BESS ) to perform a ' black ##out ' , restoring power to an electric power generator without calling on external transmission lines , in a way that could improve grid resilience . Earlier this month , IID 's 33 MW/20 MWh Li - ion BESS re - started El Centro Generating Station 's 44 MW combined cycle natural gas turbine , in what IID manager for energy department , George Kasarjian , called a “ major accomplishment in the energy industry " . In January , the same feat was performed for the first time ever by German - American technology firm Younicos .
Southern California utility Imperial Irrigation District ( IID ) has successfully demonstrated the use of a battery energy storage system ( BESS ) to perform a ' black ##out ' , restoring power to an electric power generator without calling on external transmission lines , in a way that could improve grid resilience . Earlier this month , IID 's 33 MW/20 MWh Li - ion BESS re - started El Centro Generating Station 's 44 MW combined cycle natural gas turbine , in what IID manager for energy department , George Kasarjian , called a “ major accomplishment in the energy industry " . In January , the same feat was performed for the first time ever by German - American technology firm Younicos .