Alliant Energy’s new battery system, known as the Columbia Energy Storage Project, would be the first-of-its-kind in the United States and represents a significant advancement toward a more sustainable, reliable and cost-effective energy future.
“Guided by our purpose-driven strategy, we continue to invest in cost-effective, sustainable energy solutions for the customers and communities we proudly serve,” said John Larsen, board chair and CEO of Alliant Energy. “As we diversify our energy mix, the added capacity and unique capabilities of energy storage solutions will strengthen our generation portfolio, increase grid resilience, improve reliability and help us continue to meet customer needs. We appreciate the DOE’s support and investment in this advanced energy storage technology.”
The Columbia Energy Storage Project would utilize an innovative design by Energy Dome to deliver 10 hours of energy storage capacity by compressing carbon dioxide (CO2) gas into a liquid. When that energy is needed, the system converts the liquid CO2 back to a gas which powers a turbine to create electricity. This highly efficient, zero-emissions, closed loop battery system can power approximately 20,000 Wisconsin homes.
According to Larsen, the unique design and capabilities of this energy storage system aligns with the company’s Clean Energy Vision goals while delivering incredible value to customers. He notes, “The Columbia Energy Storage Project is just one way we are investing in the communities we serve while building a stronger, smarter and more sustainable energy future.”
Development of the Columbia Energy Storage Project is being led by Alliant Energy in partnership with WEC Energy Group, Madison Gas and Electric, Shell Global Solutions US, Electric Power Research Institute, UW-Madison and Madison College.
The facility will be built south of Portage, Wis. in the town of Pacific, near the current Columbia Energy Center. Alliant Energy expects to submit project plans to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in the first half of 2024. Pending approval, project construction could begin in 2025 with completion in 2026. For more information on Alliant Energy’s energy storage projects, visit alliantenergy.com/battery.
About Alliant Energy
Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 995,000 electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of the Nasdaq CRD Sustainability Index, Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index, and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Energy Dome
Energy Dome is revolutionizing energy storage and enabling grid decarbonization by making solar and wind power dispatchable 24/7. The company invented and developed the CO2 Battery™, a long-duration energy storage system that makes long-duration energy storage viable globally today. The properties of carbon dioxide allow the system to store energy efficiently and cost-effectively, with a modular and site-independent footprint. CO2 Batteries™ use readily available, off-the-shelf components from reliable, existing supply chains, providing a scalable pathway to store massive amounts of intermittent renewable energy and accelerate the energy transition. For more information, please visit energydome.com.
About the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) was established to accelerate clean energy technologies and fill a critical innovation gap on the path to achieving our nation’s climate goals of net zero emissions by 2050. OCED’s mission is to deliver clean energy demonstration projects at scale in partnership with the private sector to accelerate deployment, market adoption, and the equitable transition to a decarbonized energy system. Visit energy.gov/oced to learn more.
Forward-looking statement
This document includes forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified because they include words such as “approximately,” “plan,” “expect,” “will,” or other words or expressions of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe the Columbia Energy Storage Project and our clean energy vision are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. Actual results could be materially affected by the following factors, among others: the inability to obtain regulatory approvals or necessary permits in a timely manner; state regulatory actions that delay or reject the proposed plans, or that include terms that make the plans uneconomical, including rate recovery levels and returns on equity; federal governmental actions that delay or change the terms or amount of the proposed grant or include terms that make the grant uneconomical; the inability to obtain necessary equipment and labor in a timely manner; the ability to complete construction of the storage project by planned in-service dates and within the cost targets set by regulators due to cost increases of and access to materials, equipment and commodities including due to inflation, tariffs, duties or other assessments, labor issues or supply shortages, the ability to successfully resolve warranty issues or contract disputes; unforeseen engineering or technology issues; unanticipated construction issues, delays or expenditures; failure of equipment and technology to perform as expected; political conditions in Alliant Energy’s and WPL’s service territories; changes to Alliant Energy’s or WPL’s access to capital markets; current or future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; and economic conditions in Alliant Energy’s service territory. These factors should be considered when evaluating the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof and Alliant Energy and WPL undertake no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 1 million electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow Alliant Energy on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.