Today we kicked off construction on a new battery energy storage center at the site of our former Trenton Channel Power Plant. The new Trenton Channel Energy Center will store excess energy, then deliver that energy to customers when they need it. It is a great complement to our existing renewable assets and represents a significant step in our journey to net zero carbon emissions.
The Trenton Channel Energy Center will be the largest standalone battery energy storage project in the Great Lakes region when it comes online in 2026. It will have the capacity to store 880 megawatt hours of energy each cycle, which is enough to power nearly 40,000 homes. DTE is already a leader in renewable energy; this new facility will also bring us to the forefront of the energy storage space.
“Today, roughly one-third of all electricity generated by DTE comes from carbon-free resources,” said Jerry Norcia, chairman and chief executive officer, DTE Energy. “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.”
The Trenton Channel Energy Center supports the goals outlined in our 2022 CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan as well as Michigan’s new statewide energy storage target. While it is our largest energy storage project, it isn’t our first. DTE already owns and operates three energy storage facilities, including the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant, a hydroelectric plant and long-duration storage facility on the shores of Lake Michigan co-owned with Consumers Energy. By 2042, we plan to have 2,950 megawatts of energy storage capacity in our portfolio, more than doubling the amount we have today.
“It’s an exciting time for the energy industry and for DTE as we make headway in this new arena,” said Terri Schroeder, director of Energy Storage. “Energy storage is a vital component of Michigan’s clean energy future, and a big congratulations goes out to everyone on our team who played a role in making the Trenton Channel Energy Center a reality.”
Rendering of what Trenton Channel Energy Center will look like when complete