Ameren wants to build battery storage facilities across Missouri, including at a former St. Louis County power plant

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) — Ameren wants to build three utility-scale battery storage facilities across Missouri, including one at the former Meramec power plant in south St. Louis County.

The facilities would not generate electricity. Instead, they would charge during periods of low grid demand and discharge power back onto the grid when demand peaks — such as during stretches of extreme heat.

How the technology works

Steve Wills, Ameren’s senior director of regulatory affairs, said the flexibility of battery storage sets it apart from traditional power plants.

“Batteries play a really unique role in that they’re a flexible resource that can store energy when demand is low on the grid and deliver it back to the grid when power demand is highest,” Wills said.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Missouri currently has just one operating utility-scale battery storage facility, making the proposed expansion a significant addition to the state’s energy infrastructure.

What’s driving the need

Ameren said growing electricity demand — from population growth, new businesses and large energy users such as data centers — is behind the push for the new facilities.

Wills said summer heat events make the need especially clear.

“This really hot summer weather is a time when we really need the flexibility on the system to meet peaks when all the air conditioners are running full blast,” Wills said. “So these resources would be really beneficial on days like this.”

Details on the Meramec site

The proposed Meramec site would use approximately 6 acres and house around 88 battery modules. Ameren said individual battery modules can be replaced as needed and are expected to last approximately 20 years, depending on how frequently they are charged and discharged.

More information about the projects is available on Ameren’s website.

Rate and regulatory outlook

Ameren said the projects will not affect customer electric bills in the short term. Any future rate impact would be subject to review by the Missouri Public Service Commission.

“In the future, that’ll be subject to Public Service Commission review and a future rate review where they’re able to evaluate all the costs and benefits of the project,” Wills said.

Ameren has published information about public hearings on the proposed facilities at ameren.com.