close Close

Choose Your State of Service

In order to serve you better, please select your Dominion Energy location services.

Set location to Idaho

Idaho
Set location to North Carolina Gas
Gas

North Carolina
Set location to North Carolina Electric
Electric

North Carolina
Set location to Ohio

Ohio
Set location to South Carolina

South Carolina
Set location to Utah

Utah
Set location to Virginia

Virginia
Set location to West Virginia

West Virginia
Set location to Wyoming

Wyoming

By selecting to choose later, you are choosing not to view state specific content.

close Close

Choose Your State of Service

In order to serve you better, please select your Dominion Energy location services.

Select my State

By selecting to choose later, you are choosing not to view state specific content.

Choose Location
alert
Privacy Policy & Cookies: We use cookies and similar technologies. By continuing to use this website, you consent to our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Notice.
close

Grid Transformation - Battery Storage

Virginia's First Utility-Scale Battery Storage Project

August 2, 2019, Dominion Energy filed with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) for approval of pilot projects featuring 16 megawatts of battery storage—the first utility-scale projects of their kind in Virginia.

If approved, the pilot would consist of three unique projects totaling 16 megawatts of energy storage. Each of the pilot projects are intended to test and refine different new technologies:

solar panels covering field
The Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 calls for 30 megawatts of battery storage, and these pilots support that goal.

Energy storage is critical to providing continued reliability for our customers as we expand our renewable portfolio. Battery storage has made significant strides in recent years, in both efficiency and cost. We are excited to pilot 16 megawatts of battery storage in Virginia and these projects will enable Dominion Energy to better understand how best to deploy batteries to integrate renewables and provide grid reliability.

We operate the 4th-largest solar generation fleet in the United States, and our renewable energy portfolio continues to grow. These advanced commercial batteries will let us store energy and serve our customers with renewable generation even when the sun isn’t shining.

Frequently asked questions

How is battery storage technology different from other types of energy storage?

Expand
There are pros and cons to each type of energy storage. Utility-scale battery storage is still an emerging technology, whereas pumped hydro storage is proven to work. Battery storage can ramp up to full power within seconds, but can supply that power for less time, when compared to pumped storage. Typically for grid applications, energy batteries are sized up to four hours. Pumped storage, for example, can provide more energy over a longer period of time. As to cost and construction, pumped hydro is very capital intensive and takes significantly longer to build.

How large are these batteries in Hanover County and New Kent County?

Expand
The batteries being installed in Hanover County will be two 40-foot containers (similar in size to shipping containers), while New Kent will have several refrigerator-sized modules on a single concrete pad.

How much energy can the batteries store?

Expand
The batteries in this pilot can store 56 MWh of energy.

How much power can the batteries deliver to the grid?

Expand
The batteries in this pilot project can deliver a total of 16 MW of power to help keep the grid stable and reliable for our customers.

What are the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries?

Expand
The safety of our employees and customers is our top priority. As with any lithium-ion battery, you are dealing with large amounts of stored energy in a small place, and fire is a danger associated with them. We have taken precautions with regards to the batteries’ physical placement to minimize hazards to our customers, their property and our employees. The industry continues to study this technology to improve the batteries’ safety characteristics.

What information does Dominion Energy hope to gain from this pilot project?

Expand
These projects will allow us to analyze the use of energy storage for grid stability support as an alternative to traditional grid upgrades. These pilot projects will enable Dominion Energy to better understand how best to deploy and operate batteries to help overcome the inherent fluctuation on wind and solar generation sources.

What is the expected construction time and cost? When will this energy be available to the grid?

Expand
The three proposed Central Virginia-based lithium-ion projects will cost approximately $33 million to construct. Pending SCC approval, the experimental pilots would last five years once operational in December 2020.

Why is Dominion Energy pursuing battery storage technology at this time?

Expand
The company is committed to providing our customers with a reliable, affordable and diverse supply of energy. The Grid Transformation & Security Act of 2018 enabled 30MW of battery storage generation to be developed as a pilot project. If approved by the SCC, the pilot will allow us to study this emerging technology and understand how it fits into Virginia’s energy future. As the company continues to forge ahead as an industry leader in renewable energy, various storage technology will be needed to ensure a balanced and reliable energy grid.

Will battery storage take the place of other types of generation used during times of high energy demand?

Expand
Not at this time. Different kinds of generation are utilized depending on the magnitude of the demand.
caret
More Links

Copyright © 2020 Dominion Energy