Powering Ahead: Substation Battery Program

At Hendricks Power Cooperative, we are always looking for innovative ways to strengthen reliability, improve efficiency and keep costs as low as possible for our members. 

Through a partnership with our power supplier, Wabash Valley Power Alliance, we are installing two substation battery storage systems at our Avon North and Center Valley substations. These lithium-iron-phosphate battery systems are housed in secure, access-controlled enclosures and are expected to be functional this fall.  

What Are Substation Battery Storage Systems?
Think of these batteries as large-scale energy banks integrated into our local power system. They charge during off-peak times, when rates and demand are lower, and store that energy for later use. 

When demand and costs are highest (like hot summer afternoons or sub-zero winter mornings), the batteries can quickly discharge stored energy to help meet local and regional power needs. 

Key Benefits for Our Members
When dispatched, the stored energy will flow directly into Hendricks Power’s distribution system, helping serve the homes, businesses, schools and farms that depend on us every day. This resource helps support rate stability, enhance reliability, reduce strain on the system during periods of extreme demand, and meet our community’s long-term energy needs.

Long-Term Rate Stability & Cost Savings
Wholesale electricity prices can spike dramatically during periods of peak demand. By supplying stored energy during these peak times, the batteries reduce the amount of expensive power that must be purchased. 

Because Hendricks Power is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, those operational savings help support stable, competitive rates for our members.

Infrastructure & Equipment Protection
Periods of high demand place added stress on substations, transformers and power lines. Battery storage helps reduce those demands locally, protecting critical infrastructure and extending the useful life of equipment. 

Regional Grid Reliability & Resilience
Unlike traditional power generation that takes time to ramp up, battery storage can respond almost instantaneously when dispatched. As more variable generating resources, such as wind and solar, are added to the electric system, battery storage helps balance supply and demand and supports overall grid stability. 

We are proud to bring these technological advancements to our members as we continue building a smarter, more resilient energy future.