MN8 Energy Completes Pome Battery Storage Project in California
MN8 Energy has officially completed and launched commercial operations at the Pome Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Poway, California, marking another major milestone in the expansion of large-scale energy storage infrastructure across the United States. The stand-alone battery storage project, which entered commercial service in late 2025, delivers 100 megawatts (MW) of power capacity and 400 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage capability, helping strengthen California’s rapidly evolving clean energy grid.
The Pome facility has been fully contracted to Sonoma Clean Power under a 10-year tolling agreement that enables Sonoma Clean Power to dispatch stored electricity into the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) market. The agreement allows the community energy provider to strategically charge and discharge electricity based on market conditions and grid needs while supporting its long-term commitment to delivering around-the-clock clean energy to customers across Northern California.
The project represents another significant step in California’s transition toward a cleaner and more resilient energy system. As renewable energy generation from solar and wind continues to grow throughout the state, battery energy storage systems are becoming increasingly important for balancing electricity supply and demand. Facilities like Pome allow excess renewable electricity generated during periods of high production to be stored and released later when demand rises or renewable generation declines.
With the addition of the Pome project, MN8 Energy’s operational battery storage portfolio in California now totals approximately 1.5 gigawatt-hours of grid-scale storage capacity connected to the CAISO market. The growing portfolio reflects the company’s broader strategy of investing in infrastructure that supports renewable integration, grid reliability, and decarbonization efforts across key U.S. energy markets.
According to company leadership, the Pome facility was designed to respond rapidly to fluctuations in the power grid, delivering electricity within seconds when needed. This capability is particularly valuable in California, where increasing electrification, climate-related weather events, and higher penetration of renewable energy have created a growing need for flexible grid resources.
Jon Yoder, President and Chief Executive Officer of MN8 Energy, said the project demonstrates the important role battery storage plays in supporting California’s clean energy future.
“As renewable energy grows to even greater scale in California, so does the need for flexibility and resilience,” Yoder said. “MN8 is proud to bring the Pome storage project online to serve Sonoma Clean Power and its customers, providing fast-responding capacity that can support California’s grid within seconds.”
The project is located on nearly four acres of industrial land in San Diego County, an area that continues to experience growing electricity demand and increasing renewable energy deployment. By locating the battery storage facility within an industrial zone, the project minimizes land-use conflicts while maximizing proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and transmission networks.
Battery storage systems such as Pome are increasingly viewed as essential infrastructure in California’s energy transition. Over the past several years, the state has experienced periods of grid stress caused by extreme heat, wildfire risks, and supply-demand imbalances. During these periods, battery systems have played a crucial role in stabilizing the grid by injecting stored electricity during peak demand hours and helping prevent power shortages.
The Pome project also supports California’s broader decarbonization policies and clean energy mandates. State regulators have established ambitious targets for renewable energy procurement, greenhouse gas reduction, and zero-carbon electricity generation. To achieve those objectives, utilities and energy providers are investing heavily in battery storage technologies capable of complementing intermittent renewable generation.
For Sonoma Clean Power, the Pome facility aligns with its long-term strategy to provide cleaner electricity while improving affordability and reliability for customers. The organization, which serves communities in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, has positioned itself as a leader in community-based renewable energy procurement and grid innovation initiatives.
Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer of Sonoma Clean Power, emphasized the importance of battery storage in making renewable energy dependable around the clock.
“Battery storage like Pome is how we turn California’s abundance of renewable energy into reliable, affordable power,” Syphers said. “This project strengthens the grid and moves us closer to the 24/7 clean energy future we’ve been building toward since day one.”
The CAISO market has emerged as one of the most active battery storage markets in the world, driven by California’s aggressive renewable energy goals and growing demand for grid flexibility. Developers and utilities across the state have accelerated investments in large-scale battery systems capable of storing solar power generated during daylight hours and releasing it during evening peak demand periods.
Industry analysts note that four-hour battery systems like Pome have become increasingly common because they can effectively shift renewable electricity into higher-demand periods. These systems also help reduce reliance on natural gas peaker plants, lower carbon emissions, and improve overall grid efficiency.
Beyond its operational benefits, the Pome project is expected to provide meaningful economic contributions to local communities. MN8 Energy estimates that over the first seven to 10 years of operation, the facility will generate approximately $20 million in revenue for local governments. In addition, the project is expected to contribute around $28 million in new property tax revenue, supporting public schools, emergency services, infrastructure, and other community programs in the region.
The economic impact reflects the broader role clean energy infrastructure is playing in local development throughout California. Large-scale battery storage projects not only support grid modernization efforts but also create construction employment, long-term operational roles, and new tax revenue streams for municipalities.
The successful completion of Pome further strengthens MN8 Energy’s position within the growing energy storage sector. The company has continued expanding its renewable energy and storage portfolio across the United States as utilities, corporations, and public agencies seek solutions that combine clean energy generation with reliable dispatchable power.
As battery technology costs continue to decline and electricity markets increasingly reward flexibility, analysts expect energy storage deployment to accelerate further over the next decade. California, in particular, is expected to remain one of the leading markets for battery investment due to its ambitious clean energy targets and ongoing grid reliability challenges.
The launch of Pome highlights the accelerating transformation of California’s electricity system from one historically dependent on fossil fuel generation toward a more decentralized and renewable-powered grid supported by advanced storage technologies. Projects like Pome demonstrate how battery storage can bridge the gap between renewable energy production and customer demand while enhancing grid stability and resilience.
For MN8 Energy and Sonoma Clean Power, the project represents both a commercial milestone and a broader contribution to California’s clean energy transition. By combining utility-scale storage capacity with long-term operational agreements, the companies aim to create a more reliable and sustainable electricity system capable of supporting the state’s long-term environmental and energy goals.
As California continues integrating larger volumes of renewable generation into the power grid, battery storage facilities like Pome are expected to play an increasingly central role in ensuring that clean electricity remains available whenever consumers need it most.
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