Blymyer provides design and engineering services for the Franklin PV project in Rogerson, Idaho

Blymyer Engineers recently completed all underground electrical, controls, power cables and wiring for a 120 MW PV and a 60MW four-hour duration BESS for Duke Energy, in partnership with SOLV Energy. Despite heavy precipitation and rocky soil conditions, the project was completed on schedule.

“This is a testament to the teamwork and dedication of everyone involved,” explains Chris Gleason, Blymyer Director of Utility Scale Projects.

The largest solar project in Idaho

The Franklin installation is Duke’s first utility-scale renewable energy project in Idaho—and the largest solar facility in operation in the state. At 120 megawatts of capacity, the plant will generate enough electricity annually to serve the energy needs of approximately 24,000 homes in Twin Falls County and beyond. The installation is a significant step in helping Duke realize its stated goal of 100% clean energy by 2045.

The battery energy storage systems are designed to discharge capacity over a four-hour period. A 60MW battery can deliver 240 megawatt-hours (60 MW x 4 hours) of energy—enough to power thousands of area homes during peak demand periods, typically during hot summer afternoons and evenings when irrigation pumps and air conditions increase the electricity demand.

The Franklin facility will sell the energy to Idaho Power, the major energy provider in the state, serving a 24,000-square-mile area in Idaho and Oregon. The power company has targeted the goal of providing affordable 100% clean energy to the region by 2045, and considers construction of the Franklin facility a critical step in helping to realize that goal.

Showcasing Blymyer’s solar expertise

“Franklin demonstrates our mastery of the intricacies of underground installations,” continues Gleason. “Projects like this require a range of expertise, and we have a multifaceted team that understands the challenges and nuances involved. The aesthetics and safety benefits of underground power infrastructure have become key factors in the engineering and construction of solar facilities. It’s an art as well as a science.”

With over 17GW of engineered solar facilities, Blymyer has become a leader in the industry and its portfolio of solar projects continues to grow exponentially.