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The PJM grid’s largest battery is now under construction in Ohio
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Construction has begun on a massive 1 GWh battery energy storage system in Ohio, marking the largest such project in the PJM grid that serves 13 states and Washington, DC. The Flint Grid facility, developed by Eolian, is being built in Jersey Township, Licking County, outside Columbus. This project comes as data center and industrial development rapidly pushes up electricity demand in the region. Amazon Web Services already operates data center infrastructure nearby, while Google and Meta are constructing additional buildings in the corridor.
The Flint Grid battery will deliver 200 megawatts of power for more than five hours, storing over 1 gigawatt-hour of electricity. This capacity allows it to discharge when grid demand and strain are highest. The facility will occupy approximately 15 acres along Jug Street Road, adjacent to New Albany's fast-growing data center and industrial corridor. It is the first grid-scale battery storage project permitted by the Ohio Power Siting Board.
Eolian says Flint Grid is the first large-scale battery project to qualify for PJM's capacity market, which pays resources to be available when the grid needs them. It was also the largest battery to clear PJM's 2027-28 capacity auction, accounting for more than half of the new battery capacity selected for that delivery year. Batteries can respond almost instantly, charging when electricity is plentiful and discharging during periods of tight supply.
Strategically placing batteries near heavy electricity demand helps grid operators make better use of existing transmission lines while longer-term upgrades are built. This is particularly important as data centers and industrial facilities drive surging electricity forecasts. The Flint Grid project demonstrates how proven technology can unlock wasted capacity on the grid, according to Eolian founder and CEO Aaron Zubaty.
“There’s growing consternation about how the US can rapidly scale infrastructure to support America’s growing electricity demand, but not nearly enough conversation about how to use existing technology to unlock the wasted capacity that already exists on the grid,” said Zubaty. “Flint Grid demonstrates how companies like Eolian have been investing in solutions to unlock the grid and reduce price pressures on consumers using proven and scalable technology.”
The battery will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build, though Eolian did not disclose a precise price, battery supplier, or chemistry. The company says it committed capital to Flint Grid years before surging electricity forecasts driven by data centers became a national concern. Flint Grid is expected to begin commercial operation before PJM’s 2027-28 capacity year, helping to meet growing electricity demand while reducing strain on the grid.
