Elevate, ArcLight energize Virginia’s largest battery system
Elevate Infrastructure and ArcLight Capital Partners have cut the ribbon on the Prospect Power battery system in northern Virginia.
Located in the town of Timberville, the 150 MW / 600 MWh project represents the largest standalone battery system in the commonwealth of Virginia, and in PJM Interconnection’s 13-state electricity coordination region as a whole. The system, originally developed by Swift Current Energy, comes online at a critical moment in Virginia’s energy history, as the Old Dominion’s energy demands continue to spike thanks to the rise of AI data centers.
ArcLight managing partner Angelo Acconcia says his company has been helping to build energy infrastructure for more than 20 years. Prospect Power “represents the type of infrastructure the market needs,” as it moves into its next phase of growth in 2026.
“As power needs accelerate, driven by AI infrastructure, reshoring, and electrification, we believe battery storage will play an increasingly important role in providing both grid capacity and reliability and Elevate is at the forefront of this,” Acconcia says.
The new project provides critical flexible capacity for the Mid-Atlantic region, Elevate officials say. That flexibility comes not a moment too soon.
Shoring up the grid
Josephus Allmond, Virginia’s chief energy officer, says projects like Prospect Power will help the commonwealth maintain an electrical grid that is not only affordable, but reliable and resilient. As the U.S. continues to experience issues with grid strain, large battery storage projects will be a top priority, he says.
“Utility-scale battery storage is becoming a key part of our energy strategy, helping maximize the value of existing infrastructure while providing the flexibility needed to meet rising demand,” Allmond adds. “Governor Spanberger recently signed legislation to encourage additional battery storage development across Virginia, and Prospect Power demonstrates the kind of forward-looking investment that will help support both economic growth and long-term energy reliability.”
Prospect Power is already fully contracted under a 15-year power purchase agreement with Dominion Energy Virginia. Cedric Green, the company’s SVP of power generation, says the project will enable Dominion Energy to ensure that it can reliably deliver power when and where customers need it.
In total, the project is expected to deliver revenue-sharing and property tax-related benefits to Rockingham County. Also a sponsor of the annual county fair, Prospect Power aims to embed Elevate as an active member of the northern Virginian community.
“Battery storage is playing a growing role in supporting a reliable, resilient and diverse grid,” says Stu Bresler, COO of PJM. “This project increases battery storage capacity within PJM by more than 50%, marking a significant milestone for energy storage in our region. Resources like this add flexibility to the grid and help support reliability as demand continues to grow.”
