Locations in Georgia Where 500 MW of New Battery Energy Storage is Being Installed.
Source: Paul Gerke from Renewable Energy World
Georgia Power Company is continuing its efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels during peak demand by significantly expanding its battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Earlier this month, Georgia Power submitted its 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Update (2023 IRP Update) to the Georgia Public Service Commission. This update includes an Application for the Certification of four BESS projects, totaling 500 MW of storage capacity.
While Georgia Power provided details on these proposed projects, much of the information was redacted from public view due to “sensitive terms and conditions” and cost details, which have been classified as “trade secrets.”
Georgia Power's Mossy Branch battery energy storage system in Talbot County, Georgia (courtesy: Georgia Power)
Here’s what we do know about the projects:
Robins BESS: A 128 MW, 4-hour duration BESS located in Warner Robins, Georgia, on an existing Air Force base. The project’s engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) will be handled by Burns and McDonnell, utilizing lithium iron phosphate Tesla Megapack 2 XL batteries charged from the grid. This project is expected to be operational by 2026.
Moody BESS: A 49.5 MW, 4-hour duration BESS in Valdosta, Georgia, also situated on an existing Air Force base. Crowder is the EPC, and the system will use the same type of Tesla Megapack batteries, integrated with an existing solar project. It’s expected to go online in 2026.
Hammond BESS: A 57.5 MW, 4-hour duration BESS in Rome, Georgia, located at the decommissioned Plant Hammond coal-fired power station. Crowder will oversee the EPC, and the installation will feature Tesla Megapack 2 XL batteries, positioned alongside existing infrastructure. The project is slated for completion in 2026.
McGrau Ford Phase II: A 265 MW, 4-hour duration BESS in Ball Ground, Georgia, on a site in Cherokee County that is already hosting another 265 MW BESS under construction. Burns and McDonnell is the EPC for this project as well, using the same Tesla Megapack batteries charged by the grid. The second phase is expected to be completed in 2026.Here’s what we do know about those projects:
Back in February, Georgia Power launched its first BESS project, the Mossy Branch Energy Facility, a 65 MW system on 2.5 acres of rural land in Talbot County, north of Columbus.
“As Georgia Power looks at our energy transmission system across the state, we want areas that have the capacity to inject more energy to support what the grid naturally needs,” said Aaron Mitchell, the company’s vice president of planning and pricing, in a statement about the Mossy Branch project.
In April, the Georgia Public Service Commission granted Georgia Power permission to bypass the standard bidding process and move directly to constructing BESS to meet its energy needs. In that filing, Georgia Power indicated plans to solicit bids for an additional 500 MW of storage in the near future.
Battery energy storage projects are becoming increasingly common across the U.S., which added nearly 4 GW of storage capacity in the second quarter of this year alone, according to a recent report. The majority of these new systems—97%—were installed in ERCOT, WECC, and CAISO regions.
Though Georgia is still in the early stages of exploring battery energy storage, the state has seen significant growth in renewable energy development since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). According to an e2 analysis, Georgia has attracted 28 projects and more than $15 billion in investment, trailing only Michigan (30 projects).
Telkes’ Take: Exciting to see Georgia Power taking significant steps toward a sustainable future with these new battery energy storage systems! As the state continues to be a leader in renewable energy development, these projects will play a crucial role in enhancing grid reliability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Looking forward to seeing how this momentum builds and drives even more clean energy innovation in Georgia!
