Battery Milestone: SMUD and DESRI Partner on Long-Duration Storage in Sacramento

On June 19, 2025, SMUD and D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments signed a long-term deal to develop the Dry Creek Energy Storage project—a 160 MW / 640 MWh battery system in Sacramento County. The site, formerly home to the Rancho Seco nuclear plant, now hosts solar infrastructure and will leverage existing transmission lines to reduce interconnection costs. The project supports SMUD’s clean energy goals by enabling long-duration storage and improved grid reliability. It marks a key step in expanding California’s renewable storage capacity while repurposing legacy energy assets for modern climate goals.