SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers are reviewing multiple proposals to help lower utility bills and increase energy capacity during veto session. Storage will play a key role in any plan lawmakers try to pass next month.
Illinois could create virtual power plants by having solar-powered batteries installed at homes and commercial buildings. People would receive rebates if they purchase a battery and agree to let the state access the stored energy during some of the hottest days of the summer.
"With the help of this legislation, we can get a lot of storage online fast," said Bryan McDaniel with the Citizens Utility Board. "Large scale battery storage can be deployed very quickly compared to traditional sources of power. This speed to market attribute is really important, as we are already experiencing the cost of inaction."
Advocates said the Storage for All program would run similarly to the state's Solar for All program. The state would also establish consumer protection requirements to prevent misleading marketing and abusive practices by vendors.
This legislation also calls on the Illinois Power Agency to conduct procurement events to award incentive contracts to energy storage developers, aiming to bring three gigawatts of new storage projects online by 2030 and six gigawatts by 2035.
"Critically, no ratepayer financial support would be provided unless and until a new energy storage project was successfully constructed and energized," said IPA Director Brian Granahan. "The IPA supports this investment in storage projects and believes storage is a necessary component of our state's energy future."
Renewable energy advocates told lawmakers the state has a major choice ahead—bring more capacity choices to Illinois or pay for surrounding states to the capacity need with natural gas.
"Since we're part of a regional transmission organization, where all ratepayers pay for capacity costs, Illinois ratepayers will be sending their money out of state and we will get none of the economic benefits from having storage projects in this state," said Sarah Wochos from New Leaf Energy.
Lawmakers noted that they will not be able to immediately lower energy rates for customers, but Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) said adding more power to the energy grid will help lower prices in the long run.Â
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