Overview
Elwood Energy Storage Center is a 19.8 MW pumped hydro storage facility in Illinois, USA, operated by West Chicago Battery Storage LLC. It provides grid-scale energy storage services to enhance reliability.
Elwood Energy Storage Center is a pumped hydro storage facility located in Elwood, Illinois, United States. With a capacity of 19.8 MW, it operates as a medium-scale energy storage plant supporting the local grid. The facility is owned by West Chicago Battery Storage LLC and is currently operational. The plant utilizes pumped hydro storage technology, which stores energy by pumping water to an elevated reservoir and releasing it through turbines to generate electricity. In the United States, pumped hydro accounts for the majority of utility-scale energy storage capacity. The facility operates under federal and state regulations, including safety standards such as NFPA 855 for energy storage systems. Elwood Energy Storage Center plays a key role in grid stability by providing peak shaving and frequency regulation services. Its location in Illinois supports the integration of renewable energy sources and helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels during high demand periods. The facility contributes to the region's energy resilience and environmental goals.
Environmental context
Pumped hydro storage facilities like Elwood Energy Storage Center involve water management and can impact local hydrology. The technology is generally considered low-emission but requires careful siting to avoid ecological disruption. In Illinois, the facility operates in a region with mixed industrial and agricultural land use, and its grid interconnection supports renewable energy integration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Frequently asked questions
Elwood Energy Storage Center is located in Elwood, Illinois, United States, near coordinates 41.8969 N, 88.2227 W.
Elwood Energy Storage Center uses pumped hydro storage technology, which stores energy by pumping water to an elevated reservoir and generating electricity when water is released through turbines.
Elwood Energy Storage Center has a capacity of 19.8 MW, making it a medium-scale pumped hydro storage facility.
Pumped hydro storage facilities in the US must comply with NFPA 855, which provides safety requirements for energy storage systems, including fire protection and hazard mitigation.
Elwood Energy Storage Center provides peak shaving and frequency regulation services, helping to stabilize the grid and integrate renewable energy sources.