Alliant Energy obtains permits for 175 MW battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Wisconsin

Alliant Energy has received permission from the Public Service Commission Wisconsin (PSCW) to construct two battery storage projects that will be paired with solar PV plants in Wisconsin. The two projects, called the Grant County Battery Project and Wood County Battery Project, will be integrated with the Grant County Solar Project and Wood County Solar Project, respectively.

The Grant County Battery Project will have a 100 MW output and be integrated with the 200 MW Grant County Solar Project, which is currently being built and expected to begin commercial operation in H1 2024. The Wood County Battery Project will have a 75 MW output and be integrated with the 150 MW Wood County Solar Project, which began operation in late 2022 in the town of Saratoga.

The integration of battery storage systems with solar PV plants can help to address the intermittency of solar power generation, which is a key challenge for renewable energy sources. Large-scale battery storage projects can store excess energy generated during peak hours and release it during times of low solar power generation or high energy demand. This helps to ensure a more consistent and reliable energy supply, while also reducing the need for fossil fuel-based peaker plants. Furthermore, battery storage projects can help to increase the utilization of existing solar PV plants, improving their overall efficiency and output.