In a bid to meet the burgeoning electricity demands of the Carolinas, Duke Energy has completed a multiyear upgrade project at its Bad Creek facility in Salem, S.C. The enhancements, spanning across four units, have injected an additional 320MW of capacity into the company's largest "battery."
The Bad Creek pumped storage facility plays a pivotal role in Duke Energy's operational strategy, particularly as the region witnesses a surge in solar energy adoption. By leveraging pumped storage technology, Duke Energy aims to bolster the reliability of its system amidst increasing demand.
With these upgrades, the station's total capacity now stands at 1680MW, capable of powering over 1.3 million homes.
"This investment in Bad Creek demonstrates our commitment to improving reliability across the Carolinas. Pumped storage technology gives us operational flexibility, allowing us to store energy and then deploy that energy when customer demand is highest," said Preston Gillespie, executive vice president and chief generation officer and enterprise operational excellence. "Expanding our energy storage capabilities is just one of the many steps we are taking in the next phase of our energy transition."
The upgrade project, executed in phases, saw each new pump turbine unit receiving an additional 80MW of capacity. Unit 2 was completed in 2020, followed by unit 1 in 2021, unit 3 in 2023, and unit 4 in April.
Looking ahead, Duke Energy is actively pursuing the extension of Bad Creek's operating license, set to expire in 2027. Moreover, the company is exploring the possibility of constructing a second powerhouse at the facility, aimed at further augmenting system capacity and addressing evolving energy dynamics driven by solar growth and customer usage patterns. If pursued, the second powerhouse could be operational as early as 2034.
"From population growth to the expansion of manufacturing and other major economic development wins, the Carolinas are booming," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. "We must have a diverse energy mix to account for this growth on the coldest winter nights and the warmest summer days. We continue to look at solutions like expanding Bad Creek to make sure the power is there when customers need it, and it is as affordable as possible – providing certainty as they go about their daily lives."
The expansion of operations at Bad Creek is not only poised to fortify the region's power grid but also provides significant economic benefits of $7.3 billion to South Carolina, as the state benefits from construction and general infrastructure activity, by 2033.
Inside Bad Creek powerhouse
