Illinois has passed landmark energy legislation that will transform the state’s electrical grid while creating new opportunities for consumers to control their energy costs. Senate Bill 25, the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), places energy storage at the center of Illinois’ energy future. Greenleaf Advisors and its partners, such as Intelligent Generation, deliver sustainable energy solutions, like those supported in this bill, for industrial, commercial, and institutional customers to achieve their operational, financial, and environmental objectives.
How Energy Storage Benefits the Grid
Energy storage delivers critical benefits across Illinois’ electrical infrastructure:
Reducing Peak Demand: Energy storage systems store electricity during off-peak hours when costs are low and discharge during peak periods, reducing the need for expensive power purchases. Analysis from the Illinois Power Agency shows that new storage projects will suppress electricity prices statewide.
Providing Regulation Services: Storage systems respond in milliseconds to provide frequency regulation and voltage support, maintaining grid stability. This becomes increasingly valuable as Illinois integrates more renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
Virtual Power Plants: The legislation requires participation in “virtual power plant” programs that aggregate residential and commercial solar and storage installations. Instead of purchasing expensive out-of-state power during peak periods, utilities can tap into the collective capacity of distributed energy storage systems across their service territory.
Opportunities for C&I Energy Consumers
The legislation creates expanded opportunities for customers to manage their own energy needs through on-site solar and storage systems:
Energy Independence: Solar generation paired with battery storage allows you to produce, store, and consume your own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and vulnerability to rate increases.
Cost Savings: Commercial customers can use storage to shave peak consumption and reduce demand charges. All customers can take advantage of new time-of-use rate plans, charging batteries when rates are low and using stored power when rates are high.
Backup Power: Properly configured systems keep critical loads running during grid outages, providing resilience during extreme weather events.
Additional Revenue: Customers can participate in virtual power plant programs, earning income by allowing utilities to dispatch their stored energy during critical periods while maintaining control over their systems.
Statewide Benefits
As energy storage deployment scales across Illinois, all electricity consumers benefit through:
- Reduced need for expensive infrastructure upgrades
- Fewer outages and more reliable power
- Lower wholesale electricity costs
- Enhanced energy efficiency programs
The Bottom Line
Illinois’ energy storage legislation creates a unique window of opportunity. Early adopters of on-site solar and storage systems will maximize benefits from new incentive programs, virtual power plant participation, and time-of-use rates while gaining energy independence and resilience.
At Greenleaf Advisors, we help clients navigate the evolving energy landscape and develop customized strategies that take full advantage of new Illinois programs and incentives.
Contact Greenleaf Advisors to explore how on-site solar and energy storage can benefit you.