Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Rick Barrett, June 3
Wisconsin’s first large-scale energy storage project, the Paris Solar-Battery Park in Kenosha County, is now providing power to the grid.
It’s comprised of around 12,000 lithium-ion batteries collectively capable of powering more than 130,000 homes for up to four hours, according to We Energies. On sunny days, when the solar panels are active, the batteries store excess power and release it at night or early in the morning.
The batteries costing $223 million can hold their charge for weeks, if needed, but We Energies says it plans to discharge them multiple times a week depending on the circumstances.
The batteries are stored in 150 containers. Each battery is approximately 33-by-11 inches and has a life expectancy of around 20 years.
Depending on the day, it can take about four to five hours to fully charge the batteries.
We Energies says it has numerous other battery projects proposed or under construction. It is also testing other options that would provide longer duration energy storage.
We Energies, the state’s largest utility, is the majority owner of the Paris Solar-Battery Park. Two other utilities, Wisconsin Public Service and Madison Gas and Electric, are co-owners.
The Paris Solar Park provides the energy stored in the batteries. It has nearly 500,000 solar panels and has been in operation since December. The panels move and track the sun throughout the day, maximizing power generation.
The solar park will provide both immediate and long-term savings to We Energies customers, who are facing rate increases, according to the company.
The project was developed by U.S.-based Invenergy, a global developer, owner and operator of sustainable energy solutions.
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