Richardson Electronics and ComEd announced a major manufacturing expansion and the installation of a 5-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system demonstration project at the company’s La Fox headquarters in Kane County. State lawmakers and utility officials gathered on a Monday to celebrate the initiative, which aims to build the largest commercial battery energy storage facility on ComEd’s Illinois grid, according to reporting by the Daily Herald.
Expanding Battery Manufacturing in Kane County
The operational expansion scales the development and distribution of locally produced battery energy storage systems, commonly known as BESS units. Richardson Electronics is constructing the 5-MWh research and development demonstration project at the rear of its La Fox campus to serve as a working model for potential future customers. Company leadership notes that growing power demands require enhanced infrastructure reliability.
We have learned that standing still is not an option,
said Edward Richardson, chief executive officer and president of Richardson Electronics, during the Monday ceremony covered by the Daily Herald. His father founded the business in 1947, initially selling military-surplus electronic supplies such as walkie-talkie batteries.
The project benefits from state tax credits announced in August 2025 through the Re-imagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois, or REV Illinois, program. Under the agreement, Richardson is investing $8.5 million into the site and committed to adding 54 full-time employees at the Kane County facility.
Connecting Commercial Storage to the ComEd Grid
ComEd is supporting the facility through its customer interconnection process and engineering studies. Utility personnel are helping prepare the site for the demonstration system and guiding the company through potential grid upgrade requirements to ensure safe integration.
Take it from somebody in the energy industry. This is a very big deal,
said Gil Quinones, ComEd’s chief executive officer and president, as cited by the Daily Herald. Quinones explained that battery storage helps stabilize the grid by storing inexpensive energy during periods of low demand and discharging it when power becomes scarce and expensive.
This is critical for grid stability,
Quinones added, noting that localized storage buys valuable time for broader infrastructure investments needed to bring excess energy onto the transmission network.
Engineering the Commercial Demonstration Facility
Richardson Electronics is still actively designing the project layout. According to Scott DuBois, the company’s director of business development, the final building size depends on the number of heavy 44-ton battery storage containers the facility ultimately houses. Meanwhile, the company is looking to lease external space to accelerate the assembly of additional BESS units.
The firm maintains a diverse global portfolio that includes engineered green energy products, power conversion equipment, radio-frequency and microwave components, CT X-ray tubes, and custom display solutions. Company executives emphasize that this infrastructure expansion places the historic electronic supplier directly at the center of the growing market for modern grid resilience.
Common Questions About the Kane County Energy Project
What is the total power capacity of the new La Fox demonstration facility?
The research and development demonstration project is designed to store up to 5 megawatt-hours of power using commercial battery energy storage containers located at the rear of the corporate headquarters.
How is the state of Illinois supporting the Richardson Electronics expansion?
The state awarded tax credits to the manufacturer through the Re-imagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois program, backed by an $8.5 million corporate investment agreement requiring the creation of 54 new full-time jobs.
What role does ComEd play in the battery installation?
ComEd provides engineering studies and oversees the customer interconnection process, guiding site preparation to safely and reliably connect the commercial storage system without disrupting service to surrounding customers.
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