June (Hybrid - Zoom & in person ) 06/14/2023

Goleta Join's California's Energy Storage Transformation

Wind and solar power are key to California's transition to clean renewable energy. But, where do we get energy when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining? And, how can the grid be more resilient in response to the challenges of wildfires and heat waves?

GridStor is building the largest battery storage facility in Santa Barbara County on a 2.6-acre lot in Goleta. When this facility goes online, the 44 lithium-ion batteries will provide 60 MW / 160 MWh, enough to power over 30,000 households.

In this talk, Jason Burwen, VP Policy & Strategy from GridStor, will discuss energy storage technology and its role in California's clean energy transition, as well as more about GridStor's facility in Goleta.

Our meetings are hybrid. You may attend in-person with lunch provided (at the Community West Bank Conference Room at 445 Pine Avenue) or via Zoom.

Jason Burwen, VP of Policy & Strategy for GridStor

Jason Burwen was previously VP of Energy Storage at the American Clean Power Association, as well as interim CEO and VP of Policy at the U.S. Energy Storage Association, where he built and directed the energy storage industry's comprehensive federal, state, and regional market policy advocacy strategy from 2015 to 2023.

His advocacy directly shaped the energy storage federal investment tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act, the directives of FERC Order 841, several state deployment targets, capacity accreditation reforms in PJM, and other laws and regulations pertaining to energy storage. He has been cited as an expert on energy storage technology, policy, and markets in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, NPR, the New Yorker, and numerous trade publications.

Earlier in his career, Jason directed research and advocacy on U.S. energy innovation and tax policy as the Associate Director for Energy Innovation at the Bipartisan Policy Center; consulted to utilities on demand response program design at FSC Group/Nexant; and reviewed utility renewable energy contracting processes for the California Public Utilities Commission. Burwen holds master's degrees from UC Berkeley's Energy and Resource Group and Goldman School of Public Policy, as well as a bachelor's degree from Columbia University.