NextEra Energy Resources (NEER) has commenced the state permitting process for two hybrid solar and storage projects with a cumulative battery capacity of 250MW in Wisconsin, US.
Juno Beach, Florida-based independent power producer (IPP) NEER kickstarted the process of obtaining permission to construct the projects in Adams, Wood and Oconto counties, from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) on 20 December. The company filed separate engineering plans for both projects with the state regulator and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).
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200MW hybrid BESS on timber harvesting site
The larger of the two projects, Akron Solar, will comprise a 200MW solar farm co-located with a 200MW BESS encompassing 2,409 acres of land located in Adams and Wood counties, with the majority currently planted with red pine trees for timber harvesting.
Although not specified in the engineering plan, a dedicated website for the project states the BESS will be 4-hour duration (800MWh). Specific battery chemistry wasn’t mentioned within the engineering plan or on the website. However, with NEER aiming for commercial operations sometime during the fourth quarter of 2029, it’s likely that specific chemistry and suppliers have yet to be decided.
The project will connect to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)-controlled grid via a 138kV transmission line owned by electric utility American Transmission Company (ATC).
Within the engineering plan, NEER states it is currently assessing options for project offtake including selling energy generated by the project to a third party through a power purchase agreement (PPA), or transferring ownership of the project upon completion through a form of development-transfer agreement.
It appears that NEER is attempting to get ahead of the game when it comes to public engagement, after the IPP held a public hearing last month for local residents of Rome in Adams County.
According to a LinkedIn post from renewable energy advocacy group RENEW Wisconsin, the meeting gave residents an opportunity to ask a “panel of experts” a series of questions regarding the CPCN approval process and alleviate any environmental and fire safety concerns.
Smaller 50MW hybrid BESS also connecting to MISO
NEER’s Fox Solar project, known previously as Birch Solar, will comprise a smaller 50MW BESS co-located with a 100MW solar plant across approximately 1,147 acres of land in the Town of Morgan in Oconto County.
The project will connect to the MISO grid via ATC’s Morgan 138kV substation located on CCC road at the centre of the proposed project. As with Akron, NEER is still assessing offtake options for its Fox project. NEER hopes to commence construction on the project during the second quarter of next year, with commercial operations scheduled for the end of 2029.
As with the developer’s Akron Solar project, NEER held a public hearing for residents of Morgan last month to address any concerns surrounding the Fox Solar project. However, if local news reports are to be believed, the session left a handful local residents feeling frustrated with several feeling as though their questions were left unanswered.
According to local news outlet Green Bay Press Gazette, some residents had to be escorted out of the building during a question-and-answer session for “shouting out or interrupting” during answers provided by NEER representatives.
State approval required for projects greater than 100MW
According to Wisconsin State Legislation, developers wanting to construct electric generating facilities greater than 100MW in size must obtain permission from the PSCW through the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
At least 60 days before filing a formal CPCN application, developers must file an engineering plan outlining general information on the project such as its location along with the potential environmental effects of each major component. Within 30 days of receiving an engineering plan, the WDNR will issue the developer with a list of any additional permits required to commence construction on the project.
Once the PSCW has received a CPCN application, it will conduct a series of hearings giving the public a chance to ask questions and learn more about the project, which is then followed by an environmental assessment conducted by the state regulator.
The PSCW states that it can take six months to a year for a project to be granted a CPCN, but this can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. Within the engineering plans, NEER states it expects to receive CPCNs for the two projects during the first quarter of next year.
Koshkonong Solar Energy Center
As reported by Energy-Storage.news, the PSCW deliberated for 13 months before granting Invenergy a CPCN for its Koshkonong Solar Energy Center, which will pair 300MW of solar with a 165MW BESS located in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Electric Power Company (Wisconsin Electric), Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC), and Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE) are set to take ownership of the Koshkonong project upon completion after the utilities executed an asset purchase agreement with Invenergy during 2023.
The project is expected online towards the end of this year.
