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📸 Credit: ComEd on Facebook
Richardson Electronics, the 80-year-old manufacturing company based in La Fox, is expanding to build more large-scale batteries that store electricity for the local power grid.
In a Monday ceremony with ComEd and state officials, it also announced plans to install what it calls the largest commercial battery storage system in Illinois at its Kane County site.
Here’s what to know:
The batteries’ purpose: The systems charge up when electricity is plentiful, then release it when demand peaks. The company says that can help ease strain on the grid and improve its resiliency.
How it came together: According to a news release, Richardson is installing the 5-MWh system through support from the ComEd interconnection process. ComEd’s president said the utility is “making the grid investments needed to deliver industry-leading reliability at rates that are well below the average commercial and industrial rates for the top 20 largest metropolitan areas.”
Jobs and state support: The expansion is backed by a state tax credit through REV Illinois, a program that supports clean energy and rewards advanced manufacturers for investing in the state. Last year, Richardson announced that it was investing more than $8.5 million over four years, keeping 190 jobs, and adding 54 new full-time jobs.
“Richardson Electronics’ continued investment in La Fox is a great example of how Illinois businesses can lead the way in developing innovative energy solutions while creating good-paying jobs right here in our communities,” said State Representative Jeff Keicher (70th House District).
According to the release, battery storage is a key piece of Illinois’ new Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which aims to strengthen the grid and help head off forecasted power supply shortfalls.
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