OPSB approves addition of battery energy storage system to existing solar energy facility in Highland County

The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) Sept. 17 authorized Hecate Energy Highland LLC to construct an up to 300 megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system alongside its existing solar energy facility in Highland County.

The battery energy storage system and associated components will be located within 89 acres of leased land, of which permanent facilities will occupy 13 acres. The facility will consist of battery containers and auxiliary equipment, medium-voltage transformers, noise barriers, access roads, erosion control, electric collection lines, an operations and maintenance area, a laydown yard, and a stormwater detention basin.

In separate business, the OPSB determined that Oak Run Solar Project, LLC has provided sufficient pictorial sketches or simulations of the facility’s substation components to meet the requirements of Ohio Administrative Code and pursuant to the Supreme Court of Ohio’s remand directive. The 800 MW Oak Run Solar Project and associated 300 MW battery energy storage system are planned for construction in Monroe, Somerford, and Deercreek townships in Madison County.

Additional information about these OPSB decisions is available at www.OPSB.ohio.gov. A recorded webcast of the OPSB meeting is available on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/PUCOhio.