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North Carolina's largest battery system now operating at Duke Energy substation

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Duke Energy has commenced operations at North Carolina's largest battery system, a 9-MW lithium-ion setup in Asheville, costing under $15 million. This initiative aims to enhance grid efficiency and support energy storage. The company plans to invest $600 million in energy storage to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. Additionally, Duke Energy has expanded its renewable projects, including solar facilities and microgrids, while maintaining a strong presence with an electric generating capacity of 51,000 MW.

Positive
  • Initiation of a 9-MW lithium-ion battery system in Asheville enhances grid efficiency.
  • Investment of $600 million planned for energy storage supports future energy delivery.
  • Commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.
  • Strong operational background with over a decade of experience in battery storage.
Negative
  • None.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The future of battery storage took a big step forward in North Carolina recently as Duke Energy began operating the largest battery system in the state.

In the city of Asheville, a 9-megawatt (MW) lithium-ion Samsung battery system is operating next to a Duke Energy substation in the Shiloh community. With a total cost of less than $15 million, the project will primarily be used to help the electric system operate more efficiently. It will provide energy support to the electric system, including frequency regulation and other grid support services.

Battery storage offers many benefits to customers. Duke Energy has plans to invest $600 million for 375 MW of energy storage across its regulated businesses.

"Energy storage will play a significant role in how we deliver energy to customers now and into the future as we act to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050," said Stephen De May, Duke Energy's North Carolina president.

Duke Energy has more than a decade of experience with battery storage. At one time, the company's 36-MW battery system next to the company's Notrees Wind Facility in Texas was the largest battery operating in the United States. It remains one of the country's biggest.

News media can download a time-lapse video of the construction project.

Additional Duke Energy projects

In Haywood County, the company installed a solar plus storage microgrid on top of Mount Sterling at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The project included the removal of a single overhead electric line, which resulted in 13 acres of park land returned to its natural state. This facility continues to serve a remote emergency communications tower in a less expensive and more reliable way.

"We have a long history of testing new battery technologies with a number of battery manufacturers," added De May. "Our research work is now paying off with larger projects that will provide customers more reliable service with lower overall emissions."

In Madison County in the town of Hot Springs, the company is planning a 4-MW lithium-ion battery system that will help improve electric reliability for the town, along with providing services to the overall electric system.

In South Carolina, Duke Energy is planning a 5-MW lithium-ion battery at the Anderson County Civic Center in Anderson County. The battery will provide backup power at the facility, which serves as a critical shelter for emergency service agencies. As a grid asset, the battery will also provide benefits to the bulk power system to enhance reliability.

The battery storage project is just one of many Duke Energy investments in the region. The company recently finished construction of the $817 million Asheville Combined Cycle Station, which became fully operational April 5, 2020. The new station replaced a 344-megawatt, two-unit coal plant at the Asheville site, which retired on Jan. 29, 2020.

The company also recently announced a 5-MW solar facility for the town of Woodfin in Buncombe County.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit's regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2020 "World's Most Admired Companies" list, and Forbes' 2019 "America's Best Employers" list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Randy Wheeless
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_RandyW

 

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

What is Duke Energy's new battery project?

Duke Energy's new project is a 9-MW lithium-ion battery system in Asheville, North Carolina.

How much did the new battery system cost?

The battery system cost less than $15 million.

What are Duke Energy's future carbon reduction goals?

Duke Energy aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

How much is Duke Energy investing in energy storage?

Duke Energy plans to invest $600 million in energy storage across its regulated businesses.

When did Duke Energy's Asheville Combined Cycle Station become operational?

The Asheville Combined Cycle Station became fully operational on April 5, 2020.

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