Most of the time, however, the Lightshift battery storage microgrid will be grid connected, energized to discharge when needed to help alleviate peak demand. Its grid services component could help local customers save $20 million in electricity costs over the life of the project.
“Energy storage was our first choice when identifying a more cost-effective and renewable solution to power the schools, compared to diesel backup generators that would have cost $1.2 million per generator,” said Peter Dion, general manager of Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department (WMGLD), in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful to have the entire town’s support to deploy the Lightshift battery that will provide cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable electricity to our schools.”
To mark the project launch, Lightshift is also announcing a $10,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of MetroNorth to support the establishment of its planned Energy Education Center which will inspire and educate the next generation of young leaders. The contribution is part of Lightshift’s Beyond the Grid initiative, which supports key organizations in the communities where the company develops and operates energy projects.
“This project is such a great example of the many ways energy storage strengthens the communities we partner with. We are bringing clean backup power to schools and supporting their electrification while also providing WMGLD customers with major, risk-free savings,” said Rory Jones, co-founder and managing partner of Lightshift Energy. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with WMGLD on this innovative and timely project.”
Wakefield’s battery storage project is the third such collaboration between Lightshift Energy and the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC). Earlier this summer, the two partners unveiled a second battery storage microgrid in Groton, Mass. That 3-MW system interconnected within the municipal Groton Electric Light Department territory also works to reduce peak load and lower carbon emissions for grid power, while it also is available to backup power for nearby Florence Roche Elementary School.
The Groton microgrid first became operational in August 2024. It utilizes the practice of peak shaving, or storing energy during times of low demand and prices and then discharging it during peak demand periods.
Although Groton Electric Light Department is touted by Lightshift as one of the first municipal utilities to leverage an energy storage microgrid in this way, it’s a common use case for businesses and the U.S. military.
