AEP Ohio installs microgrid at Athens Water Treatment Plant

AEP Ohio recently completed construction of a solar-powered microgrid for the Athens Water Treatment Plant to provide more resilient electric service.

The microgrid includes an existing 658-panel solar array on-site that powers a new 250 kilowatt/1,140 kilowatt-hour battery energy system. This system is designed to maintain power to the plant for up to five days in the event of an outage. How it works is when an outage occurs, the microgrid will take over delivering power to the plant within minutes.

“AEP Ohio is always looking for new solutions or the future of electrical service,” AEP Ohio’s Anthony DeBord, customer and external affairs manager, said. “This microgrid project was a great opportunity for AEP Ohio to partner with the city of Athens and gain experience that could one day benefit all of our customers.”

AEP Ohio, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, in partnership with the city of Athens, will perform a series of planned outages over the next 11 months to test the microgrid’s effectiveness.

AEP Ohio has installed or is working on three microgrid projects. In 2020, they installed one at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to help power the water filtration system at the Polar Frontier exhibit. Another microgrid is scheduled for construction at a Columbus Public Water facility.

“This new solar-powered backup system will truly enhance the resilience of one of our most vital assets, the Athens Water Treatment Plant,” Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said. “I really appreciate AEP Ohio engaging with Athens on this demonstration project and for bringing it across the finish line.”