What is the benefit of having battery storage on the grid?

Large scale battery storage systems like the Great Plains facility benefit the local electrical grid by providing resiliency and flexibility. Moving toward higher amounts of intermittent renewable energy in a region like Kansas will require balancing resources like the Great Plains facility that can quickly adapt to evolving grid conditions over time.

How did you choose the project location for Great Plains?

A variety of siting criteria were considered, including but not limited to land use designations, archaeological and cultural resources, topography, and proximity to critical utility infrastructure. The Great Plains facility location met the optimal criteria across categories.

Does Great Plains have a partner in the development of the facility?

Great Plains is being developed in partnership with Plus Power, North America’s leading standalone energy storage platform. Plus Power develops, owns, and operates utility-scale energy storage facilities that enable a more efficient and reliable electrical grid to support residents and businesses. The Plus Power team, led by seasoned executives from the renewables and energy storage industry, is accelerating the deployment of transmission-connected battery storage throughout the United States.

What prompted the development of Great Plains?

The Great Plains facility is a critical grid infrastructure project ideally situated next to an existing substation to provide energy, capacity, and grid services in a region with growing local energy demand and abundant but variable energy resources.

How long will the batteries last? What will happen to them after that? 

The Great Plains facility will have a lifespan of at least 20 years. Great Plains Energy Storage will be augmented within the existing project layout with supplemental battery storage units to maintain expected performance. At the end of the project’s operating life, the battery system will be removed, and the land will be restored to pre-existing conditions. Because the battery components contain valuable minerals and technology, the components will be used for recycling and salvage value.

What considerations are being taken to ensure the safety of the project? 

Safety is paramount to the Great Plains facility and to Plus Power. Several measures are being taken to ensure reliable and safe operation of the system. From a technology perspective, the Great Plains facility will utilize best-in-class lithium-ion cells. The battery and system will be held to the National Fire Protection Association 855 national standard and other related grid infrastructure codes and standards. In addition, the system will utilize a variety of thermal management systems as well as remote monitoring strategies in order to maintain system stability. Local fire departments and emergency responders will be fully engaged in design discussions as part of the project’s development, and the Plus Power team will ensure there is significant collaboration and training with first responders in order to guarantee proper techniques are used in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Will Great Plains be able to withstand a natural disaster?

The Great Plains facility will be designed per ASTM standards to ensure foundations and infrastructure are designed in accordance with local requirements. This facility will also be designed to withstand the local climate conditions in the area. Seismic risks, tornadoes, flood risk, lightning strikes, and other natural risks are considered in the design of the site.

A detention basin will be utilized on site to manage stormwater and drainage.