Virginia-based Lightshift Energy completed the latest project in a 50-MW energy storage deal with the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), this one a 5-MW microgrid serving two high schools.
Lightshift installed the batteries for the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department. The municipal utility is a member of MMWEC, a joint action agency that provides energy services for municipal utilities.
The battery system is designed to save $20 million over its lifetime by reducing peak demand on the grid. At the same time, it will provide backup power to Wakefield Memorial High School and Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School via a grid-connected microgrid.
Lightshift also has installed batteries over the last year for three other Massachusetts municipals
- The Groton Electric Light Department — Two, 3 MW/9 MWh batteries at a local school, creating one of the first multi-use municipal microgrids in the state, built to serve critical infrastructure during a power outage and reduce peak grid demand.
- Paxton Municipal Light Department — A 3 MW/9MWh project that reduces grid load during periods of peak demand, netting potential savings of $10 million over its lifetime while reducing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels.
- Holden Municipal Light Department — A 5 MW/22 MWh battery system for peak shaving expected to save $10 million throughout its lifecycle
