DTE Energy will build a large-scale energy storage facility where the Trenton Channel Power Plant once operated. (Image Credit: DTE)
Recently, DTE Energy announced plans to build a large lithium-iron-phosphate battery storage facility at a coal-burning power plant called the Trenton Channel Power Plant, which was decommissioned in 2022 after operating for nearly 100 years. This project is expected to finish by 2026, becoming the largest battery energy storage facility in the Great Lakes. DTE says the Trenton Channel Energy Center should have a storage capacity of 220 megawatts — sufficient for powering 40,000 homes.
“Today, roughly one-third of all electricity generated by DTE comes from carbon-free resources,” said Jerry Norcia, chairman and chief executive officer of 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 2022 federal Inflation Reduction Act provided the DTE with $140 million in tax incentives. So far, the storage battery facility costs almost $500 million.
“DTE’s new Trenton Channel Energy Center will help us strengthen our grid and produce more clean power when it’s less costly and store it for later when we need it,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “DTE got this done with support from the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, further shoring up their position as Michigan’s top producer of renewable energy. Thanks to projects like today’s, strong federal leadership, and the Michigan Legislature’s clean energy and jobs package I signed into law last year, our future is bright. We will make more American energy using American workers, lower household energy costs, create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and protect our air, land, and lakes. Let’s get it done.”
On June 21, the power plant’s brick boilerhouse will be demolished and removed, opening the possibility for future site expansion. DTE provides almost 10% of the state’s stored energy target at this site and plans to develop and complete another 10-15 energy storage facilities across the DTE service territory.
These projects can help the state hit 60% clean energy by 2030 and 100% by 2040. Powin, an Oregon-based large-scale battery systems maker, supplies DTE with batteries. The Trenton Channel Energy Center expects to support the Metro Detroit and Downriver footprint.
“The City is thrilled to see DTE utilize its existing site here in Trenton to create an essential new element of its infrastructure,” said Trenton Mayor Steven Rzeppa. “The Trenton plant was a fixture in our community for a century, and it’s encouraging to see DTE’s commitment to the site and the community, employing new technology here in a way that benefits DTE’s more than two million electric customers as well as the City of Trenton and its residents.”
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