Plans to construct the first long-duration energy storage system of its kind in the United States are advancing following approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC).
Alliant Energy’s proposed Columbia Energy Storage Project will advance energy storage while bolstering the power grid to benefit Wisconsin residents.
Development of the Columbia Energy Storage Project is being led by Alliant Energy in partnership with Wisconsin Public Service Corp., a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, and Madison Gas and Electric.
Utilizing new technology designed by Energy Dome, the Columbia Energy Storage Project will boost grid stability, improve resilience and deliver enough electricity to power approximately 18,000 Wisconsin homes for 10 hours on a single charge.
The closed-loop system will take energy from the grid and convert CO2 gas into a compressed liquid form for long-term storage. Then, when the stored energy is needed, the system will convert the liquid CO2 back to a gas, which powers a turbine to create electricity.
The energy storage system will be built south of Portage in the town of Pacific and near Alliant Energy’s existing Columbia Energy Center. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by the end of 2027.
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