Duke Energy Carolinas, Anderson County partner on battery storage project

Published on October 16, 2019 by Kevin Randolph


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Duke Energy Carolinas announced Monday that it is partnering with Anderson County, S.C., to build an energy storage project at the Anderson Civic Center.

This project is part of the company’s plan to invest $500 million in battery storage projects across the Carolinas over the next 15 years.

“Through projects like this, we’re transforming the state’s energy infrastructure to support the two-way flow of electricity and significantly improve reliability for our customers,” Michael Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president, said. “The added benefit of this project is that – in the case of a power outage – the storage system can be dedicated to the Anderson Civic Center so this critical emergency facility will be able to support residents and evacuees in time of crisis.”

The five-megawatt, lithium-ion battery will be grid-tied and available for use by Duke Energy Carolinas grid operators. The project will be located on land adjacent to the Anderson Civic Center and will also serve as back-up power for the facility. The battery will be able to power the facility in the event of an outage for at least 30 hours based on the civic center’s normal usage.

Duke Energy Carolinas said that the project would help grid operators more efficiently manage the grid, provide additional energy options, and improve grid stability during periods of peak customer demand.

“Anderson County depends greatly on reliable power at the Civic Center; especially, while it’s operating as an emergency shelter,” Tommy Dunn, Anderson County Council chairman, said. “Power is critical at the Civic Center when our facility is being utilized as a command post for service providers and shelter to citizens who have been displaced. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Duke Energy on this project that will benefit our community during times of disaster.”

Duke Energy Carolinas recently submitted a request to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to approve a provision of the lease agreement for the land from Anderson County. Once the final engineering study for connection to the power grid is completed later this year, the project will go through a competitive bidding process for construction. It is expected to be in service in early 2021.