FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – In December of 2020, Northeastern REMC (NREMC) announced a new energy storage system that would save consumers more than $35 million dollars over the next 20 years; now two years later, it is well on its way.
On Wednesday, Congressman Banks, Representative Judy, Senator Holdman and Senator Zay attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of one of NREMC’s five new utility-scale battery storage systems equal to 31MW or approximately 108MWh, which is the largest of its kind in the region.
NREMC says that these sites have successfully reduced its summer critical peak load by nearly 20 percent. This reduction has allowed NREMC to significantly reduce the rate impact on its members, while double-digit rate hikes are common across the Midwest.
“Our commitment to innovation at Northeastern is second to none among electric cooperatives,” says Eric Jung, NREMC’s chief executive officer. “We have long provided affordable and reliable electric service but now more than ever, needed to evolve to meet our member’s future energy needs. With these battery sites now fully operational, we are providing a great hedge against rising costs for our members, adding another highly effective tool to help even out power cost instability.”
Peak and transmission costs on the power grid account for the largest portion of the utility’s members’ costs. During off-peak times, the battery systems will charge when power rates and demand are lower and discharge during peak demand when infrastructure is most stressed. Jung added that with all the new intermittent generating resources, like wind and solar, battery storage systems like these will aid in keeping the grid stable.
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