Staff Writer
Georgia Power is taking a significant step towards modernizing its energy infrastructure by introducing 500 megawatts (MW) of new Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This development, authorized by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) as part of the company’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update, marks a significant advancement in Georgia Power’s strategy to bolster grid reliability and integrate renewable energy sources.
The Strategic Vision Behind BESS
The new BESS projects are designed to meet the demands outlined in the 2023 IRP Update. Each system will feature a 4-hour duration, positioning them as crucial dispatchable resources that will enhance grid stability and provide dependable electricity, especially during peak winter. This move aligns with Georgia Power’s broader objective of maintaining a balanced and resilient energy portfolio.
Highlight Projects Include:
- Robins BESS (128 MW, Bibb County): This project is strategically placed near a Robins Air Force Base solar facility. Using its current infrastructure, Georgia Power minimizes the need for new transmission upgrades, leading to cost savings and faster implementation.
- Moody BESS (49.5 MW, Lowndes County): Similar to the Robins BESS, this facility is co-located with a solar farm adjacent to Moody Air Force Base. It leverages existing transmission infrastructure, streamlining construction and reducing costs.
- Hammond BESS (57.5 MW, Floyd County): Located at the site of the retired Plant Hammond, this standalone BESS project repurposes existing infrastructure and transmission capacity, providing an efficient solution to meet future energy demands.
- McGrau Ford Site Phase II BESS (265 MW, Cherokee County): Building on the groundwork laid for McGrau Ford Phase I, this expansion utilizes pre-existing site preparations and infrastructure. This approach allows for cost-effective construction and operational efficiency.
Advantages and Future Outlook
Georgia Power’s new BESS projects are poised to deliver multiple benefits:
- Enhanced Grid Reliability: BESS systems will store excess renewable energy and release it during high-demand periods, improving grid resilience and stability.
- Economic Efficiency: The integration of BESS supports "energy arbitrage," allowing the company to shift energy supply to more cost-effective periods, ultimately reducing customer costs. Using existing infrastructure further cuts down on capital expenses and deployment time.
- Environmental Impact: The BESS projects are eligible for tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, contributing to Georgia Power’s sustainability goals while lowering customer costs.
In addition to these new initiatives, Georgia Power is progressing with its 65 MW Mossy Branch Battery Facility in Talbot County, set to be its first operational BESS. Furthermore, the 265 MW McGrau Ford Phase I project, approved in the 2022 IRP, will commence by late 2026.
