Northern Colorado Utility to Build 100-MW Battery System

Colorado utility Platte River Energy Authority has signed an settlement with NextEra Power Sources to develop a large-scale battery vitality storage system, a part of a renewable energy technique that features phasing out its coal-fired energy vegetation.

The utility introduced it should construct a 100-MW/400-MW-per-hour lithium iron phosphate battery storage system adjoining to its Black Hole photo voltaic undertaking in Severance, Colo., about 60 miles north of Denver. 

The system would be the public utility’s first large-scale battery storage undertaking.

“We aren’t capable of present particulars concerning the pricing or contractor choice standing 

Building started final summer time on the 257MW photo voltaic undertaking that can be one of many state’s largest such energy vegetation when accomplished.

Platte River Energy Authority and developer Qcells USA Corp. say the undertaking is about to complete subsequent month to serve the communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland.

Section two of Black Hole Photo voltaic will add an extra 107MW of capability in 2026, bringing whole capability to 257MW. When operational, it should enhance Platte River’s whole photo voltaic capability to 309MW.

The battery plant will join via a brand new utility’substation that ties instantly into its transmission system.

The initiatives are a part of the utility’s efforts to “actively pursue a 100% noncarbon vitality combine,” in accordance with a statement announcing the storage system.

That’s a part of the statewide transfer to wind down coal-fired energy operations. Platte River plans to retire its collectively owned Craig Unit 1 by the top of 2025, adopted by Craig Unit 2 in 2028 and its personal Rawhide Unit 1 by the top of 2029. There are 4 different coal-fired plants in the state, and they’re anticipated to be closed or transformed by the top of 2030.

Platte River, primarily based in Fort Collins, provides wholesale electrical energy to 4 municipal utilities that collectively serve greater than 150,000 prospects throughout northern Colorado.

Weld Power Storage, a subsidiary of Juno Seashore, Fla.-based NextEra, will personal and function the battery system underneath a long-term vitality storage providers settlement. The undertaking is at present within the allowing section and is predicted to interrupt floor in early 2026.