WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Construction of a 9.8-megawatt battery storage facility near a solar farm on Bogan Road in Sturgis Township could save Sturgis electric customers collectively more than $1.1 million per year.
The estimate, by Prism Energy, is based on 15-year projections presented recently to the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Jeremy Jones, a partner in Prism – which built the Bogan Road solar farm in 2020 – said the battery project is an effective hedge against rising rates for the portion of the electric department budget, which was $25.6 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
The biggest savings would come from reducing charges from PJM, the current grid operator, which charges Sturgis for electric transmission and capacity costs.
The $21.8 million project received a $1 million grant from the MPSC and a loan from USDA’s Powering Affordable Clean Energy program.
