Construction on the Whispering Willow North Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS, project in Franklin County has started. According to Alliant Energy, installation of the electrical conduits and concrete foundations is underway for the 75 megawatt system. This first step is required to safely interconnect and then operate the BESS for about 20 years. “Battery storage systems are essential to meeting growing energy demand, boosting the reliability of the grid,” Dave Herkert, assistant vice president of strategic projects at Alliant Energy, said in a news release. “By storing excess energy and releasing it to the grid during times of need, battery storage plays a critical part of our long-term plan to expand capacity and maintain reliability while keeping customer bills as low as possible.” The project, located in Latimer, will be constructed on a 9-acre site, south of Alliant Energy’s existing substation. The system is expected to become operational in late 2026.