Nebraska Public Power District submits grant application for battery energy storage project

The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) recently submitted a grant application to the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) for $490,000 in funding for a battery energy storage system (BESS) demonstration project.

The two-year project is contingent on approval of the application. NPPD expects the grant proposal selections to be announced in the April 2019 timeframe. If selected, the BESS would be tied to a proposed community solar facility to be built in Norfolk, Nebraska in 2019.

The City of Norfolk has agreed to participate in the funding request as a grant partner and would provide the real estate for the project site, weekly inspections and guided public tours.

The BEES would be charged through the solar unit and would be used to accomplish goals related to demand management and voltage support as well as smoothing and shifting variable renewable energy generation.

The first year of the demonstration project would provide a summary of distribution benefits to NPPD’s wholesale and retail customers and members of the Nebraska Power Association. The second year would offer an overview of production benefits.

“Northeast Nebraska leads the state in renewable energy generation,” Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning said. “This first-of-its-kind battery storage project positions Norfolk to lead the way in using the newest technologies to efficiently utilize renewable energy that’s created in our own backyard, keeps our electricity costs low, and grows new jobs and strengthens our regional economy.”