Report on Alliant Energy’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals through Energy Storage Initiatives

Introduction: Advancing Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

Public utility Alliant Energy Corp. has announced a significant advancement in sustainable energy infrastructure, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The successful integration of a 100 MW battery energy storage system adjacent to its 200 MW Grant County solar project marks a critical step towards a resilient and clean energy future.

Project Impact on SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The new battery system is a cornerstone in achieving the objectives of SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. By storing renewable energy, the project directly supports the transition to a sustainable energy mix.

• Target 7.2: Increase Share of Renewable Energy: The 100 MW battery system enables the storage and dispatch of energy from the 200 MW solar farm, maximizing the integration of renewable power into the grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Target 7.b: Expand Infrastructure and Upgrade Technology: This initiative represents a critical infrastructure upgrade for modern, sustainable energy services, enhancing grid stability for approximately 1 million customers in Wisconsin and Iowa.

Strengthening Infrastructure and Communities: Alignment with SDG 9 and SDG 11

Alliant Energy’s investment in energy storage technology builds resilient infrastructure and fosters sustainable communities, aligning with the goals of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Key Contributions:

1. Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9): The battery system enhances the reliability of the power grid, reducing the need for traditional and often carbon-intensive grid updates. It provides a technologically advanced solution for managing energy demand and supply.
2. Community Resilience (SDG 11): By ensuring a stable power supply, the system improves preparedness for outages and severe weather events, making communities safer and more resilient.
3. Innovation for Sustainability (SDG 9): Alliant’s commitment extends to future projects like the Columbia Energy Storage Project, which will utilize innovative “energy dome” long-duration storage technology, further promoting sustainable industrialization and technological advancement.

Commitment to SDG 13: Climate Action

The deployment of large-scale energy storage is a direct and impactful measure in support of SDG 13 (Climate Action). These systems are fundamental to mitigating climate change by facilitating a widespread shift to renewable energy sources.

• Reducing Emissions: By storing solar power generated during periods of low demand and releasing it when needed, the battery system displaces the need for fossil fuel-fired peaker plants, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Strengthening Adaptive Capacity: The enhanced grid stability provided by the energy storage system strengthens resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, a key target of SDG 13.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The core topic is the development of a 200 MW solar power project and a 100 MW battery energy storage system, which directly relates to ensuring access to clean and modern energy.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The article discusses the integration of new infrastructure (battery storage) and innovative technology (the “energy dome”) to upgrade the existing power grid, making it more resilient and sustainable.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – By investing in and deploying large-scale solar power and energy storage, the utility is taking concrete action to combat climate change by reducing reliance on traditional power sources and facilitating a transition to renewable energy.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Explanation: The article highlights the “200 MW Grant County solar power project.” This project directly contributes to increasing the capacity and share of renewable energy (solar) in the utility’s energy portfolio, which serves about 1 million customers.
2. Target 7.b: By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all.
   • Explanation: The successful integration of the “100 MW installation” of a battery energy storage system is a direct expansion of infrastructure to support sustainable energy. Furthermore, the plan for the “Columbia Energy Storage Project” using “energy dome” technology represents an upgrade to new and innovative energy technologies.
3. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and processes.
   • Explanation: The article states that battery storage helps “reduce the need for traditional power grid updates.” This represents an upgrade of energy infrastructure with a cleaner, more efficient technology (battery storage) that supports renewable energy sources (solar farm), thereby making the entire system more sustainable and resilient.
4. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • Explanation: While not a national policy, the article explicitly mentions that this development is part of “Alliant Energy’s strategy and a key part of bolstering investments in renewable energy.” This demonstrates the integration of climate change mitigation measures (shifting to renewables) into corporate-level strategy and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Installed renewable energy capacity: The article provides specific quantitative data that serves as a direct indicator. The “200 MW Grant County solar power project” and the “100 MW” battery storage system are concrete measures of new clean energy and supporting infrastructure capacity being added to the grid. This directly relates to measuring progress for Target 7.2.
• Investment in sustainable infrastructure and technology: The completion of the battery system and the announcement of the “Columbia Energy Storage Project” are clear indicators of investment in and the expansion of sustainable energy infrastructure. The mention of a new “‘energy dome’ technology” is an indicator of investment in innovative, modern energy solutions, relevant to Target 7.b and Target 9.4.
• Strategic commitment to renewables: The statement that energy storage is part of “Alliant Energy’s strategy” is a qualitative indicator. It shows that climate action and the transition to renewables are being formally integrated into the utility’s planning and operational framework, which is a way to measure progress towards Target 13.2.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: tdworld.com