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Wisconsin’s first large-scale energy storage project – the Paris Solar-Battery Park in Kenosha County – is now online and powering the grid.
The 110-megawatt (MW) battery portion of the Paris Solar-Battery Park went online this month, while the 200-MW solar portion of the project went into service in December.
The storage facility is made up of batteries capable of powering more than 130,000 homes for four hours, We Energies, the majority owner of the prioject, said.
‘Bringing Wisconsin’s first large-scale battery storage project online is historic and continues our commitment to provide customers reliable and affordable energy,” said Mike Hooper, president – We Energies. “Our ‘all of the above’ power generation approach means customers can count on the energy they need, no matter the weather or the time of day.”
Wisconsin Public Service and Madison Gas and Electric are also co-owners. The project was developed by U.S.-based Invenergy, a privately held developer, owner, and operator of energy solutions.
What else is in store?
More battery energy storage should be popping up across Wisconsin soon.
Last November, the City of Green Bay Plan Commission authorized a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow Tern Energy Storage LLC to establish a BESS on 8.1 acres of land. The proposed 200-megawatt (MW), 800-megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS will consist of approximately 450 battery enclosures (10′ X 30′ in size), approximately 112 transformers, and a collection substation.
Presuming it overcomes increased costs and delays in construction, the Koshkonong Solar Energy Center will include a 300 MW solar facility and a 165 MW BESS in Dane County. We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, and Madison Gas and Electric recently agreed to purchase the project from Chicago-based developer Invenergy. Considering supply chain disruptions, interest rates, and federal regulations combating unfair trade practices and forced labor, the once $649 million project is now expected to cost more than $900M to build.
In September 2023, Black Mountain Energy Storage received approval from the City of Milwaukee to construct a 300 MW/1,200 MWh battery storage project, slated to be Wisconsin’s largest known standalone battery project.
