The Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) will add its expertise to a solar-powered microgrid project on Missouri S&T’s campus. The project involves creating an EcoVillage microgrid, using solar panels in combination with lead battery energy storage units. The project is slated to start in October.

“This planned partnership aligns perfectly with our consortium vision,” says Angie Rolufs, director of Missouri S&T’s Center for Sustainability and executive director of the S&T Microgrid Industrial Consortium. “The project also provides the opportunity to tell a good news story from a Missouri economic development point of view, since lead is a Missouri natural resource.”

Initial planning for the project included a meeting on campus with representatives from Doe Run, a member of the consortium, Ameren, Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Energy, Missouri Public Utility Alliance, and consortium members NorthStar, Exide and Enersys.