Massachusetts is putting $40.3 million toward energy storage so services can keep running when the power grid is under strain.
The new round of state grants will help schools, wastewater facilities, community centers, and other critical sites install battery storage systems that can provide backup power during outages and severe weather.
Here's what to know
According to WWLP, the Healey-Driscoll administration is distributing funds through the Department of Energy Resources' energy storage grant program — Advancing Massachusetts Power Energy Storage — to 36 projects around the state. Those efforts are centered on local resilience, safety and education, and longer-duration energy storage.
Double Edge Theatre in Ashfield received $412,000 for a battery project at its community center. Mohawk Trail Regional School in Shelburne Falls was awarded $1.44 million for a 250-kilowatt, 1,728-kilowatt-hour system, and Springfield Water and Sewer got $2.5 million for a battery storage installation at its wastewater treatment plant, with 2,500 kilowatts and 10,030 kilowatt-hours of capacity.
A $12,800 award to the Franklin Regional Council of Governments will go toward first responder tuition reimbursement related to battery technology, response mitigation, recycling approaches, and fire containment products.
"This investment recognizes that emerging energy technologies require a coordinated public-safety response. By providing specialized battery energy storage system training to first responders across the region, this grant will build shared knowledge, improve preparedness, and help protect the people who respond when communities need them most," said Tracy Rogers, director of emergency management for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, per WWLP.
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Statewide, the community resilience projects are expected to bring about 10 megawatts of battery storage capacity — 44 megawatt-hours — to sites including schools, affordable housing, community centers, public works facilities, and wastewater treatment plants.
More background
State officials say long-duration energy storage can support reliable electricity service during lengthy outages and periods of heavy demand, per WWLP. They also say storage projects could cut energy costs while helping communities better endure severe weather and other disruptions.
In Charlemont, Berkshire East Mountain Resort is set to receive $4.5 million for a long-term storage project using sodium-iron chloride batteries. The project is expected to deliver 4 megawatts and 80 megawatt-hours of storage, lasting up to 20 hours.
What's being done?
Beyond the storage installations themselves, the funding also pays for training in battery safety, fire codes, permitting, inspections, and emergency response for first responders, municipal officials, electricians, contractors, and regional planning organizations.
State Senator Adam Gómez of Hampden said the Springfield wastewater project is also part of addressing a longer history of unequal environmental burdens, WWLP reported. He called the investment "a meaningful step toward addressing that history" while strengthening critical infrastructure.
"This is about lowering energy costs and keeping the lights on when communities need it most," said Governor Maura Healey, per WWLP. "These investments will help schools, affordable housing, community centers and other critical facilities stay powered during outages while strengthening our grid for the future. We're also making sure first responders and local officials have the training and tools they need as more energy storage comes online across Massachusetts."
Where can I learn more?
These stories look at home battery incentives, large storage projects, virtual power plants, and grid tracking tools.
• In New Orleans, officials approved upfront incentives for residents to install home battery backups.
• Palmetto is helping homeowners install home backup batteries without paying upfront costs.
• At Nevada's Reid Gardner site, a battery energy storage system now uses former coal infrastructure.
• In Puerto Rico, Sonnen is building the first virtual power plant around battery systems.
• EnergyTag launched a battery system that can differentiate between clean and dirty grid power.
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