The battery systems actually surpassed our expectations… The end result was even more financial savings for Wabash and our member co-ops.
– Jeff Hume
Vice President, Strategic Electrification
& Member Relations
While many Hoosiers chilled in their air-conditioned homes in July, Wabash Valley Power Alliance engineers beamed brightly as new substation batteries thawed the soaring summer power demand.
Jeff Hume, Vice President of Strategic Electrification & Member Relations
Wabash scored a unique opportunity last month to test eight new battery systems that are part of its new Substation Battery Program. After more than a year of program planning, site selection, and installation work, Wabash staff members watched closely as the batteries discharged onto the grid, providing relief as demand, and real-time energy prices, soared upward.
“We had incredible timing with the heat wave early in July, as we had just finished getting several of our battery systems online and active,” said Jeff Hume, vice president of strategic electrification and member relations at Wabash. “The battery systems actually surpassed our expectations and what we were hoping to get out of them. The end result was even more financial savings for Wabash and our member co-ops.”
Wabash partnered with member co-ops Noble REMC, Jay County REMC, Heartland REMC, and Hendricks Power on the first two phases of the program. Wabash will install 58 megawatts of battery storage across 11 sites; the first 8 systems were completed in time for the peaks in early July.
“While our biggest challenge was equipment availability, it also highlighted our cooperative strength,” said Doug Dickmeyer, manager of engineering and operations at Noble REMC. “We worked together and shared inventory, enabling us to complete the project on time. Then, seeing the immediate reduction in demand during the top five peaks just a week after completion made all the hard work worthwhile.”
The batteries are located near substations and can charge overnight when electric demand is low, then discharge in the afternoon when demand is highest. The battery containers include safety measures to prevent the batteries from overheating, and Wabash taught first responders about the new systems.
Additional Wabash member co-ops are excited by the results. All 21 member co-ops expressed interest in participating in the program, which now includes a third phase with 100 MW of additional battery storage. Those projects will be installed throughout Indiana and Illinois by the end of 2027.
“This new technology offers an incredible chance to more effectively use electricity that is already generated to better serve families and businesses in our communities,” Hume said. “It didn’t take long for our member co-ops to see the obvious advantages in strengthened reliability brought by these batteries. We’re all very excited what is yet to come.”