DTE Energy Constructs the Region’s Most Extensive Battery Energy Storage Center at Former Trenton Coal Plant

TL/DR –

DTE Energy will construct a battery energy storage facility at the retired Trenton Channel coal plant, with the capacity to store up to 220 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power about 40,000 homes. The project, set to be completed in 2026, has received $140 million in tax incentives from the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which will be passed on to customers as reduced bills. The facility forms part of DTE’s CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan and will contribute to Michigan’s statewide energy storage target of 60% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2040.

DTE Energy Converts Largest Coal Plant in Great Lakes to Energy Storage

DTE Energy revealed plans to construct a battery energy storage facility at the retired Trenton Channel coal plant, marking the largest coal-to-energy storage conversion in the Great Lakes region. The facility, expected to complete by 2026, will have a capacity of 220 megawatts, enough to power 40,000 homes.

CEO Jerry Norcia highlighted the $140 million in tax incentives from the 2022 federal Inflation Reduction Act, stating these savings will be passed to customers in the form of lower bills. This project is part of DTE’s CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan and will contribute significantly to Michigan’s goal of achieving 60% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2040.

Related: DTE Energy requesting $456M rate increase

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer commended the project, acknowledging the state’s leading role in establishing an energy storage standard. Whitmer noted that DTE’s center in Trenton will alone help achieve 10% of the statewide storage goal.

The Trenton Channel Power Plant, decommissioned in 2022 after nearly a century, was a significant part of DTE’s plan to reach net zero carbon emissions. The transition from the historical coal plant to innovative energy storage technology is seen as a benefit for DTE’s 2 million electric customers and the city of Trenton, according to Mayor Steve Rzeppa.

DTE is developing more battery storage sites. Upon completion, DTE’s energy storage projects will collectively provide efficient clean energy to 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan.

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