BESS are becoming a critical component in enhancing electric grid reliability and resiliency. By storing excess production from intermittent renewable resources like solar, then quickly dispatching that energy as needed to balance out peak demand, BESS installations effectively expand system capacity and help utilities meet power requirements from customers and large load centers alike.

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company and the largest electric utility in Georgia, recognizes this potential and is adding hundreds of megawatts across multiple BESS construction projects to serve Georgia ratepayers. Several projects are collocated with large solar installations. The BESS projects were approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission through its integrated resource plan process and are expected to achieve commercial operation in 2026.

Steven Goedjen is a project development principal with over 10 years of diverse experience in the electric utility industry. His background spans many departments and a variety of engineering, leadership and project management roles in an industrial maintenance and construction setting. His responsibilities have included managing development, engineering, procurement and construction of battery energy storage and solar projects.