Topic(s)
- Management systems
The East St. Louis Solar Energy Center was a project that developed partnerships between local solar energy company (Azimuth Engineering/Guarantee Electric) to construct a nominal 2.5MWac community solar project. The project installed bifacial modules mounted to single-axis trackers located in East St. Louis, Illinois (E. St. Louis 4601 State, East St. Louis) across from the East St. Louis High School. The project was constructed to comply with the Illinois Clean Energy for All Act, which endeavors to develop a modern workforce to support the growing energy requirement of the region through community engagement. Ameren and its EPC partner furnished and installed over 5,000 solar panels, over 10 miles of cable, 21 inverters and the balance of substation components, to include a control house containing substation protection and controls, as well as a demonstration area for educational purposes. The project is a showcase for Ameren Illinois that demonstrates the power of public/private partnerships to reduce environmental impacts and facilitate the growth and modernization of the regional economy.
Key learning objectives
- Strong collaboration and teamwork are crutial
- Internal and external communication is key
- Having a project team that is flexibe and solution oriented is essential
Company
Ameren Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AEE. It is the parent company of Ameren Illinois, based in Collinsville, Ill., and Ameren Missouri in St. Louis. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI), also based in St. Louis, designs and builds regional transmission projects.
Employing approximately 9,000 personnel, Ameren powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers across a 64,000-square-mile area. Ameren Missouri ranks as the largest electric power provider in Missouri, and Ameren Illinois ranks as Illinois' third largest natural gas distribution operation in total number of customers. Ameren companies generate a net capacity of approximately 9,300 megawatts of electricity and own over 8,000 transmission miles across its operating companies and a variety of energy markets.
Every day, Ameren is working hard to provide more reliable energy, reduce outages and restore power faster than ever before. It's all part of Ameren's ongoing commitment to keep pace with future energy needs, as the company proudly continues to serve, support and invest in its communities. https://www.ameren.com/
Presenter
Dr. Russell Blaine is a seasoned energy industry professional with over a decade of experience in renewable energy procurement, market intelligence and strategic risk management. Currently serving as the wind and solar project procurement manager at Ameren, Blaine oversees the development and execution of comprehensive sourcing strategies for solar and wind projects, managing an annual spend of approximately $500 million. In this role, he partners with business stakeholders and vendors to optimize supply chains, negotiate complex contracts (including EPC and CMaR agreements) and craft long-term renewable energy procurement strategies. His work ensures supply continuity, maximizes cost savings and aligns procurement initiatives with Ameren’s broader vision of a sustainable, low-carbon future.
Aligned with the theme “innovating for tomorrow,” Russell Blaine’s work exemplifies forward-thinking strategies that harness innovation to shape the future of energy. His expertise in renewable procurement, market intelligence and risk management positions him as a leader committed to advancing innovative solutions that support a resilient, sustainable energy landscape. 
