The Trenton Channel Power Plant was a prominent fixture along the Detroit River, about 22 miles south of downtown Detroit, for nearly a century. Established in 1924, it was a significant project for DTE Energy. Today, this site is being transformed into the Trenton Channel Energy Center. This pioneering battery storage system will soon be the largest in the Great Lakes region.
The Trenton Channel Power Plant, decommissioned in 2022, is being repurposed to mark a major shift from coal to clean energy. The new battery storage facility will cover nearly 20 acres of the original 450-acre site, with room for potential expansion.
Global energy storage platform provider Powin LLC (Powin) will supply its advanced battery storage technology to support Michigan’s new energy storage center. The 880MWh system will be installed at DTE’s retired Trenton Channel Power Plant, a century-old coal-fired facility. This new battery system will deliver reliable, emission-free power to DTE’s 2.3 million electric customers in southeast Michigan.
The Trenton Channel Energy Center is a critical component of DTE’s CleanVision plan, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions. Approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission, this project marks a significant milestone in DTE’s efforts to double its total energy storage capacity. It also supports the State of Michigan’s target of 2.5GW energy storage capacity by 2030.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights the importance of battery storage for achieving global climate goals. These systems store surplus energy from renewable sources like wind and solar, ensuring a steady and reliable power supply. They also mitigate the reliability issues that arise when coal plants are decommissioned, as seen with the Brandon Shores coal plant in Maryland. By incorporating battery storage, regions can maintain energy reliability without using fossil fuels.
In the U.S., wind and solar accounted for 14% of electricity generation in 2022 and are expected to grow to 18% by the end of 2024. Powin's CEO, Jeff Waters, emphasized the significance of this project: “We are deeply honored to have been selected by DTE as their trusted partner for this project. We believe this project will serve as an inspiration for the entire utility sector, demonstrating the potential and impact of advanced energy storage solutions in achieving a sustainable energy future.”
Powin was chosen for this project due to its comprehensive energy storage offerings, which include integrated hardware, advanced software controls, and extensive service packages. “DTE’s Trenton Channel Energy Center will greatly benefit from Powin’s advanced technologies,” said Matt Paul, President and Chief Operating Officer of DTE Electric. “This is an important project for our customers and communities, and we’re pleased to work with Powin to help make it a reality and bring us closer to our cleaner energy goals.”
Once completed in 2026, the Trenton Channel Energy Center will rank among the largest standalone battery projects in the region. This transition is not only about clean energy but also about community and economic resilience. The plant promises to bring sustainable energy solutions without the environmental drawbacks of coal, contributing to a cleaner, more reliable energy future for Michigan.
