Last year, we talked about a 2.5-megawatt (MW) battery storage system that would connect with one of our substations in Cumberland County.

This project is meant to enhance system resilience and reliability for members. It is also one of 10 battery projects deployed in rural locations, which will collectively provide 40-MW of power, and will be charged when demand for electricity is low and discharged during moments of peak demand for power.

This enhances electric reliability and is expected to provide cost savings over the lifetime of the batteries.

Because cooperatives are not-for-profit, members will benefit from those savings. Installation of the battery energy- storage system was completed this year as one of a growing collection of distributed-energy resources including the microgrid at Butler Farms in Lillington, the 500-kilowatt solar plus battery project at Halls Substation in Sampson County and a planned 10-MW battery storage project at our Butler Substation later this year.

South River EMC and the network of cooperatives in North Carolina have worked together for years to lead innovative energy strategies, including community solar, microgrids, demand-response programs and solar plus storage initiatives.