Part of the American Electric Power system, Appalachian has in recent years expanded its portfolio to include more renewables, and will use its expertise to research ways energy storage can improve electric reliability for customers and attract new business and industry to this region.īoth Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy’s efforts in energy storage are bolstered by the Virginia General Assembly’s Grid Transformation & Security Act of 2018 and the Virginia Clean Energy Act of 2020.
For more than 50-years, the company has operated its Smith Mountain pumped storage facility, which holds water to harness energy as needed. With a vast customer base in Southwest Virginia and experience in renewables and energy storage, Appalachian Power will play a key role in the public-private partnership. The company will soon begin construction on four Central Virginia energy storage projects recently approved by the State Corporation Commission. In addition, Dominion continues to evaluate the potential for a pumped storage facility in the Southwest Virginia region to compliment the Bath County Pumped Storage Station described as the “largest battery in the world.” “Dominion Energy looks forward to working with our partners to support economic development in Southwest Virginia, which has long served as Virginia’s energy corridor.”Īs Dominion Energy continues to increase its solar fleet – currently the third-largest among utility holding companies in the nation – and build the largest offshore wind project in North America off the coast of Virginia Beach, the company is looking for new and innovative ways to store the renewable energy it produces to maintain reliable service to customers. “With the greater proliferation of renewables, energy storage expansion will be a vital component in providing stability to our grid and support our customer’s needs,” said Ed Baine, President of Dominion Energy Virginia. “Last year, Appalachian produced approximately 2,400 gigawatt-hours of energy from wind- and hydro-power and as our investment in renewables grows, so will our need for energy storage.” “As a leader in renewable energy, we are excited by the opportunity and potential this presents to further diversify our energy mix,” said Chris Beam, Appalachian Power President and Chief Operating Officer. The partnership also includes the Appalachian School of Law, Mountain Empire Community College and the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority. 24, 2021 publication stated that the average residential cost in the United States for electricity was 13.41 cents per kWh.~ Partnership will focus on research, development, manufacturing and deployment ~Īppalachian Power and Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest electric utilities, announced today a public-private partnership with InvestSWVA to advance energy storage technology and attract industry prospects to the region. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly’s Aug. The company says that at this point, a residential customer in Virginia that is using 1,000 kWh/month will pay 12.29 cents/kWh for electricity which is below the national average.Īccording to the U.S. If the increase is approved, it would go into effect in November. The fuel factor was reduced last year due to lower costs however, this year’s proposed increase would bring it to the same level as it was in 2019.
Their proposal increases the fuel factor to 2.300 cents per kWh.įor a customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours in a month, this will result in an approximate increase of $3 per month. The SCC reviews the company’s fuel rate each year to determine whether it should be increased or lowered.įuel costs are approximately 20 percent of a residential customer’s total electric bill.Īppalachian Power says the current fuel factor is 1.999 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Virginia congressman introduces bill requiring COVID-19 vaccination or testing for Amtrak, airports