Illinois has built out large amounts of renewables in the past decade to reach its mandate of 100% clean energy by 2050. So far, though, it has lagged on building battery storage, which advocates say is especially necessary now as data center development drives up energy demand.

Last fall, Illinois passed an ambitious law requiring 3 gigawatts of batteries on the state’s grid by the end of 2030. In August, the Illinois Power Agency, which procures electricity on behalf of the state’s large utilities, ran an auction-type proceeding to hand out incentives for companies promising to develop these batteries.

The results were mixed. Statewide, deals were made for 600 megawatts of storage — less than two-thirds of the target that the law set for the initial procurement. The state sought to get 588 MW of storage in the utility ComEd’s territory in northern Illinois, but the procurement ended with just one company planning to build an 80-MW battery project there. In utility Ameren Illinois’ territory, which stretches over much of the state, three developers’ bids were chosen to supply 520 MW.

Advocates said that while they were disappointed in the outcome in northern Illinois, the results overall were encouraging. ” He noted that the new deals will increase Illinois’ total energy storage manifold: The state currently has only 102 MW , according to energy data firm Cleanview.

Source link