Illinois advances clean energy with battery storage procurement
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Illinois regulators recently completed their first procurement of battery storage, a key step in the state’s effort to increase renewable energy use. The Illinois Power Agency secured 600 megawatts of energy storage through the event, enough to power roughly half a million homes by 2030.
This procurement is part of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, signed into law earlier in 2024, which aims to help Illinois meet its goals for reducing carbon emissions.
While regulators initially sought 1,038 megawatts, experts view the 600-megawatt result as a positive sign for future procurement rounds. The procurement secured 520 megawatts for the MISO territory in central and southern Illinois, exceeding its goal, while the PJM territory in northern Illinois secured 80 megawatts, falling short of its 588-megawatt target. Industry observers believe challenges connecting new power generation to the PJM grid contributed to the shortfall, as several projects had expired from the connection queue.
The Illinois Power Agency will gather feedback this fall to improve the procurement process for future rounds in 2027 and 2028, and may allow pairing of storage with solar or wind projects. Additionally, companies like SOLRITE Energy are entering the state to install residential solar and battery systems, allowing homeowners to participate in a “virtual power plant” program and contribute energy to the grid.
