Detroit-based energy company DTE Energy has unveiled plans to construct a 220-MW/880-MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at the site of a decommissioned thermal power station in its home state of Michigan.
Dubbed the Trenton Channel Energy Centre, the battery complex aims to store surplus electricity and release it during periods of peak demand, effectively alleviating strain on the grid and supporting DTE's renewable energy initiatives, the company announced on Monday.
DTE Energy will repurpose an area at its retired Trenton Channel coal power plant for the installation of the battery, slated to become the largest standalone energy storage facility in the Great Lakes region. Commissioning is expected in 2026, with the stored power sufficient to supply nearly 40,000 homes.
In a statement, DTE Energy's CEO Jerry Norcia emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “Our world-class solar, wind, and nuclear generation facilities are delivering reliable and clean electricity to our customers, and the Trenton Channel Energy Center is a significant milestone in accelerating our clean energy journey.”
With an ambitious target of achieving 15 GW of renewables in Michigan by 2042, along with 2.95 GW of energy storage assets, DTE Energy continues to advance its commitment to sustainable energy. In May, the company initiated a solicitation for approximately 120 MW of new standalone energy storage projects to meet local renewable energy mandates.
