The Substation Battery Program is a partnership between Wabash Valley Power Alliance and participating member cooperatives to install Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at designated substations.
Purpose:
- Store electricity for local use
- Keep electric rates stable
- Improve Reliability
- Support long-term community energy needs
Where does the power go? Stored electricity stays local – flowing directly into the local co-op’s distribution system serving homes, farms, schools and businesses.
How it works:
- Batteries are secure within fenced substation
- Constant maintenance and remote monitoring
- Charge/discharge controlled by WVPA
- 20 year lease from a partner company
Community Impact:
- Stable rates – Stores inexpensive electricity, releases during peak prices
- Reliability – Enhances grid stability and backup capacity
- Local benefits – Hosting cooperatives compensated; new local tax revenues
- Future-ready – Positions communities for modern energy solutions
Timeline & Impact:
- Phase 1 & 2 – 58 megawatts at 11 sites by July 2026
- Phase 3 – 100 megawatts by December 2027
For more info: email info@wvpa.com