They will also provide important backup generation during power outages, a service that is becoming increasingly important with the number and intensity of storms that have recently impacted the state.
As the grid manager and operator, DEF can maximize the versatility of battery technology to include multiple customer and electric system benefits such as balancing energy demand, managing intermittent resources, increasing energy security and deferring traditional power grid upgrades.
These benefits help reduce costs for customers and increase operational efficiencies.
Currently the company plans to complete all three projects by the end of 2020.
As part of DEF’s commitment to renewables, the company is investing an estimated $1 billion to construct or acquire a total of 700 MW of cost-effective solar power facilities and 50 MW of battery storage through 2022.
Duke Energy is leading the industry deployment of battery technology. Last fall, the company and University of South Florida St. Petersburg unveiled a Tesla battery storage system that is connected to a 100-kW solar array – the first of its kind in Florida.
In addition to expanding its battery storage technology and solar investments, DEF is investing in transportation electrification to support the growing U.S. adoption of electric vehicles (EV), 530 EV charging stations and a modernized power grid to deliver the diverse and reliable energy solutions customers want and need.
