FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 22, 2023
CONTACT:
Kerry Koonce, Vice President Communications & Corporate Relations
(515) 362-7699
kerry.koonce@cipco.net
Des Moines, IA – Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), in partnership with the National Renewables Cooperative Organization (NRCO), and four additional rural electric cooperatives from across the country, were awarded a long-duration energy storage grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The funds will help enhance grid stability and reliability by bringing cutting-edge technology to the communities.
CIPCO, NRCO, and the project partners will use the funding to bring five vanadium flow batteries (VFBs) capable of discharging 700 kW to 3.6MW of electricity for up to 20 hours to these geographically diverse rural communities. The grant is part of $325 million available from DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED).
“Long-duration energy storage is critical for the clean energy transition and improved grid reliability. We are excited to partner with NRCO and DOE to demonstrate the capabilities of VFBs in rural communities. Electric cooperatives are innovators, and the five sites selected will help demonstrate the many beneficial uses for long-duration energy storage,” said Andrew St. John, Executive Vice President & CEO of CIPCO.
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) allows utilities to charge up when renewable energy is plentiful, and then discharge for an extended period in the evenings and overnight hours. LDES also provides reliability during extended outages, allowing crews to assess and address issues while minimizing impact to Member-owners.
Aligning to the cooperative principle of concern for community, CIPCO, NRCO and the participating electric cooperatives will leverage deep-rooted connections within the communities they serve to engage relevant stakeholders and uphold local values and priorities.
“Electric cooperatives are an integral part of the communities they serve, and as not-for-profit organizations, their actions are rooted in doing what’s best for people and the community,” said NRCO CEO Mike Keyser. “This chapter of the story is about co-ops bringing innovation to rural America that provides new economic opportunities while also enhancing grid resilience and charting a path to a cleaner energy future.”
About Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) - CIPCO is a generation and transmission electric cooperative owned by member cooperatives and the communities they serve. With a balanced, 24/7 energy portfolio, CIPCO is committed to providing cost-effective, safe, and reliable energy. CIPCO and its 13 members serve over 300,000 Iowans in 58 Iowa counties. CIPCO’s offices are located in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Creston, and Wilton, Iowa. For more information visit www.cipco.net.