Commercial, Demand Management, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage  -  October 15, 2019

Anderson Civic Center plans battery storage project

The Anderson Civic Center in Anderson County, S.C., will be receiving a battery storage project on its campus that will improve grid reliability and provide the center at least 30 hours of backup power during emergencies.

Duke Energy Carolinas is building the project as part of its plan to invest $500 million in battery storage projects across the Carolinas over the next 15 years. The grid-tied, 5 MW lithium-ion battery will help grid operators more efficiently manage the grid, providing additional energy options and improving grid stability during periods of peak customer demand.

The county is partnering with Duke Energy Carolinas on the project not only to integrate battery technology into the smart-thinking grid it is building in the Carolinas, but because the site is critical during emergency situations as the site of a hurricane evacuation shelter. The battery storage project will be located on land adjacent to the Anderson Civic Center.

“Anderson County depends greatly on reliable power at the Civic Center; especially, while it’s operating as an emergency shelter,” Tommy Dunn, Anderson County Council chairman, said in a statement. “Power is critical at the Civic Center when our facility is being utilized as a command post for service providers and shelter to citizens who have been displaced. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Duke Energy on this project that will benefit our community during times of disaster.”

After final studies for connecting the system to the power grid are completed later this year, the project will go through a competitive bidding process for construction and is expected to be in service in early 2021.