Ameren Missouri to Bring Customers Solar Energy at Night
Ameren Missouri is using an innovative approach to boost clean energy reliability by pairing the Show-Me State’s first utility-scale battery installations with three large solar centers. The plan to build three Solar + Storage facilities was recently filed with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC).
These new, innovative installations are lauded as improving customer reliability and enabling access to solar energy around the clock. Each location will connect a large solar energy generation facility to battery storage. The installations will be the first-of-their-kind facilities in the state and among only a handful of Solar + Storage facilities in the Midwest.
“At Ameren Missouri, we're leading the region with this technology. These non-traditional solutions are expected to benefit customers by increasing reliability, growing the amount of renewable energy generation on the grid, and investing in the communities we call home,” said Michael Moehn, past president of Ameren Missouri. “Innovative projects such as Solar + Storage are moving Missouri forward with smart energy.”
The Solar + Storage facilities are part of Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan. Spurred by recent updates to Missouri’s utility laws, the Smart Energy Plan includes thousands of electric projects designed to create a smarter, stronger, more reliable energy grid and introduce new sources of renewable energy, all while keeping rates stable and predictable.
The Facilities
The Solar + Storage installations are scheduled to be completed next year. The facilities – located in Green City, Richwoods, and Utica – are expected to bring increased reliability to customers. Building renewable facilities in these communities is cost-effective based on the locations.
Each location is expected to have a 10 megawatt (MW) solar facility, making them the three largest investor-owned utility solar installations in the state. During sunny days, customers near the proposed facilities will receive their energy primarily from the solar facility. The solar energy will also charge the battery. In the case of a service interruption, each battery will be able to power connected homes for several hours, giving Ameren Missouri repair crews time to fix the service issue without causing an extended outage. Customers will also remain connected to the larger energy grid.
"This solution wasn't available to us just two years ago," said Kevin Anders, vice president of Distribution Operations and Technical Services for Ameren Missouri. "Solar and storage technology has made significant strides in the past several years. Prices continue to decline, making them an attractive, affordable option for the communities we serve."
The new Solar + Storage facilities are part of Ameren Missouri’s plans to add 100 MW of solar generation by 2027.
"Incorporating several types of renewable energy, and now energy storage, will help us achieve our goal of reducing carbon emissions 80 percent from 2005 levels by 2050," Moehn said.
In addition, Ameren Missouri's first Community Solar installation, near St. Louis Lambert International Airport, is now serving customers.
Customers can learn about more ways to support cleaner energy here. Construction of the Solar + Storage facilities is subject to several conditions including approval from the PSC.