US municipal utility CPS Energy has launched a request for proposal seeking up to 20 megawatts of distribution-scale battery energy storage systems and a microgrid for San Antonio, Texas, with the goal of strengthening grid resilience for customers and critical infrastructure, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.

CPS Energy plans to own and operate two battery storage sites located in the east and southern portions of San Antonio, with one of those systems powering a microgrid. The goal is to have both projects operational by the second quarter of 2028.

The BESS and microgrid proposed through the RFP are part of CPS Energy's Community Energy Resiliency programme, which is supported by the US Department of Energy and focuses on grid innovation to meet the region's growing energy needs.

A microgrid can remain connected to the main utility grid or disconnect and operate independently in island mode during prolonged power outages, extreme weather, or other disruptions to the wider grid, providing continued power to critical infrastructure and customers in designated areas.

Interested participants can view the RFP and submit proposals through the Power Advocate portal. After the closing date, CPS Energy will begin evaluations with the goal of making selections later this year.

The new RFP adds to a substantial storage expansion already underway at CPS Energy. The utility has previously brought 50MW of storage capacity online as part of its Vision 2027 Generation Plan, with an additional 470MW in development and expected to be online in 2026.

Upon completion of the broader RFP programme, the utility anticipates having more than 1,000MW of operational or contracted storage capacity to serve its customers.

The Padua Grid battery energy storage complex, developed by Eolian in Bexar County, is expected to total 400MW and nearly 2GWh upon completion, which would make it the largest battery energy storage deployment in Texas.

Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation's largest public power, natural gas, and electric utility, serving more than 996,000 electric and 399,000 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties. The utility's Vision 2027 strategy is aligned with the City of San Antonio's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which pursues carbon neutrality by 2050.