Sagebrush A Energy Storage Facility

Mortenson served as the engineering, procurement and construction company for the Sagebrush A energy storage facility in Kern County, California. This 80 MW / 320 MWh energy storage facility utilizing LG Chem battery technology provides critical fast response capacity to support renewable integration and grid stability. Mortenson’s work for the project included full design and procurement of the battery containers - a unique turnkey scope that allowed for higher quality control and system integration.

The project was developed to increase energy storage capacity within a high renewable penetration region; improve grid reliability by capturing excess wind energy and discharging during peak demand; and maximize the value of existing substation assets through co-located generation and storage.

This facility was uniquely constructed within an active wind facility, requiring Mortenson to coordinate daily with ongoing wind operations to safely stage, transport, and install major equipment. The system interconnects directly into an existing substation inside the operating wind farm, leveraging existing infrastructure to enhance renewable energy delivery to the grid.

By pairing storage with wind, the facility helps smooth intermittency and enables more efficient dispatch of clean energy to the regional grid.

Constructing a large-scale storage system inside a live renewable generation site presented logistical, electrical, and safety challenges. Mortenson implemented daily operations coordination, specialized traffic routing, and enhanced LOTO procedures to ensure safe parallel operations.

Mortenson showcased its ability to navigate change by managing changing permitting design criteria throughout the project timeline. The team worked collaboratively with the AHJ, updating drawings, revising compliance documentation, and incorporating design modifications while keeping the project on schedule.

The project team prioritized positive local impact during construction, participating in several community-focused efforts, including a Toys for Tots holiday donation drive and hosting educational and service events at the local elementary school.