HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Huntsville Utility leaders say they have a way to manage overload to the power grid; they just need support from the North Huntsville community to make it happen.
On Tuesday night, utility officials and District One City Councilwoman Michelle Watkins held a second informational meeting at the Richard Showers Center.
The utility has an 84,000-lb battery it wants to install at the Stringfield Road Substation between the rock quarry and Highway 53.
The Tesla-manufactured battery will store electricity during off-peak times and discharge power during peak demand periods.
Tonight was about addressing fire concerns, which officials say would be contained to the site itself, which is unlikely when in service.
Officials say it will be monitored 24 hours a day by the utility, fire department, and Tesla.
“Fire and Rescue has been involved from the very beginning. They have a plan in place to respond should something happen, but the battery is designed so that nothing serious will happen. If there were to be, let’s say, a fire, that seems to be what most folks are concerned about. The system is designed so that that fire will be contained within the unit.“
Huntsville Utilities chose the Stringfield Road substation due to it experiencing the largest swings in electrical use, making it the best candidate for battery storage.
Councilwoman Michelle Watkins says she will take the feedback from the public and use it to make a final decision.
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