Massachusetts Municipal Utility Celebrates Launch of Energy Storage Microgrid
Town leaders from Groton, Massachusetts held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its second energy storage microgrid last week.
The 3-MW system will reduce grid load during peak events, reduce energy costs for customers, lower carbon emissions, improve resilience and provide backup power to the Florence Roche Elementary School.
Known as Groton II, the microgrid was developed by Lightshift Energy, an energy storage project developer, in collaboration with the Groton Electric Light Department (GELD), the municipal utility that has been serving the community about 40 miles northwest of Boston for nearly 120 years.
The microgrid, which became operational in August 2024, maximizes the value of energy storage for the community, Rory Jones, co-founder and managing partner of Lightshift Energy, said in a statement. "This project reflects the leadership and innovative thinking of GELD, and we’re proud to partner on their efforts to strengthen local energy resilience, support clean energy and create value for the community," he said.
Reducing customer energy costs
GELD and Lightshift expect the microgrid will save GELD’s approximately 5,000 customers millions of dollars through the practice of peak shaving, a strategy that reduces electricity consumption during periods of peak demand when electricity prices are higher.
Rather than drawing power from the grid, the microgrid’s controller will dispatch energy stored in the connected batteries, lower energy costs and improve grid stability.
GELD is one of the first municipal utilities to leverage an energy storage microgrid in this way, however it’s a common use case for businesses and the U.S. military.
"We are proud to offer the school and our ratepayers in Groton an innovative solution to help maintain low rates while enhancing reliability, reducing Groton’s peak demand, and lowering carbon emissions," said Jonathan Patterson, manager for GELD.
Groton II was developed as part of GELD’s ongoing partnership with Lightshift Energy. The two commissioned Groton I, their first 3-MW energy storage microgrid, in July 2024.
"The project is a unique and exciting opportunity to lower energy prices while providing backup power to vital infrastructure,” said State Representative Danillo Sena (D-37th Middlesex), who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. “I’m so excited to see the success of this new microgrid!"
