In a first for Wisconsin, Alliant Energy announced the completion of a community-scale microgrid system in the village of Boaz in Richland County.
For this microgrid project, Alliant Energy created a small-scale power grid with islanding capability, meaning the system can seamlessly disconnect from the traditional grid and operate independently in the event of a power outage or service disruption. When disconnected from the traditional grid, microgrids can ensure customers in a defined area continue to have power from a distributed energy resource, such as battery, wind, solar, or a combination thereof. The benefit of this system: improved reliability and reduced service disruptions.
In October 2021, Alliant Energy announced its plans to construct the Boaz reliability microgrid. The Boaz microgrid system is one of several advanced research pilot projects Alliant Energy operates as it continues to expand access to energy storage solutions. The company has operated battery pilot systems in Iowa and Wisconsin for several years and continues to explore new applications and opportunities.
In addition to the microgrid project, the company has announced plans to develop utility-scale battery energy storage projects alongside its Edgewater Generating Station in Sheboygan and at its Grant County and Wood County solar project sites.
