Columbia 600mm energy storage system

What is the Columbia Energy Storage Project?

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter. The Columbia Energy Storage Project would store excess energy from the electric grid by converting carbon dioxide gas into a compressed liquid form and then converting that liquid back into a gas, powering a turbine to generate electricity, according to the Department of Energy.

What is Alliant Energy's Columbia Energy Storage Project?

Alliant Energy’s revolutionary Columbia Energy Storage Project, using Energy Dome’s safe, reliable CO2 battery, represents a significant advancement in energy storage while bolstering the power grid to benefit Wisconsin customers.

Where will a new energy storage system be built?

The energy storage system will be built south of Portage, Wisconsin in the town of Pacific and near Alliant Energy’s existing Columbia Energy Center. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by the end of 2027.

How do energy storage systems work?

Then, when the stored energy is needed, the system converts the liquid CO2 back to a gas, which powers a turbine to create electricity. The energy storage system will be built south of Portage, Wisconsin in the town of Pacific and near Alliant Energy’s existing Columbia Energy Center.

Can energy be stored in a 'energy dome'?

The gas will be stored in what officials call an “energy dome.” An Italian company named Energy Dome has already worked on the technology in a smaller-scale demonstration site in Sardinia, Italy. The Columbia Energy Storage Project would store excess energy from the electric grid by converting carbon dioxide gas into a compressed liquid form.