Co-Op Planning Major Battery Storage Project
FlexGen operates numerous battery storage systems such as this one in Texas. (photo courtesy of FlexGen)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Northeastern Rural Electric Membership Cooperative has announced plans for a utility-scale battery storage system it says will save consumers more than $35 million over 20 years. The co-op cites data from Bloomberg Energy Finance, which says the 108 MWh system will be the largest on record for Indiana or surrounding states.
The NREMC says battery storage allows additional power to be exported onto the grid when it’s most needed, such as times of peak demand or weather-related disruptions. The co-op says the new system would be able to deliver enough on-demand energy to supply three hours of emergency power to 3,200 homes.
Additionally, the system could be used during times of heavy demand to reduce overall usage and lower consumer rates over time.
The NREMC is partnering with California-based FlexGen on the project. The effort will include five battery sites throughout the co-op’s six-county service area.
“Our team is honored to deliver these milestone projects for NREMC,” says Alan Grosse, FlexGen chief operating officer. “On commissioning, these sites will be among the safest, most reliable and cost-effective power plants in the United States.”
The co-op says it will break ground next summer on the first two battery sites at its substations in Perry Township in Allen County and Jefferson Township in Whitley County.