Green Charge, a subsidiary of ENGIE, announced plans to develop and operate whats being called the largest utility-scale energy storage system in Massachusetts.
The three-MW system will be installed at the 5.76-MW Mt. Tom Solar, which began operations in January adjacent to the former Mt. Tom Power Station, and will deliver energy to Holyoke Gas & Electric. ENGIE expects the system to be complete by April 2018.
The system will be used to optimize intermittent solar energy and reduce utility capacity costs for HG&E while reducing stress on the HG&E distribution system and improving power quality and reliability.
As part of Massachusetts’ Peak Demand Management Program, HG&E was awarded a $475,000 MA Department of Energy Resources Grant to contract with, schedule, measure, and analyze the energy storage system. UMass Amherst will quantify the peak reduction value to the distribution system, accounting for equipment value, cost reduction potential, and overall project data. The goal of the grant is to provide research and recommendations on the future distribution system value of battery storage devices throughout the state.
“Massachusetts is proud to be a national leader in energy efficiency programs that reduce overall consumption and we are committed to continuing our work to improve energy costs disproportionately affected by times of peak demand,” said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. “The demonstration projects funded through these grants will strengthen our innovation economy and provide the Commonwealth with a roadmap for reducing our most expensive energy loads and securing our energy future.”
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