In collaboration with the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department (WMGLD) and the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), Lightshift Energy announced the commercial launch of a 5 megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system that will serve as a robust, grid-connected microgrid and power two Wakefield high schools. As part of WMGLD’s Energy Park Project, the battery system was created with the primary goal of lowering the grid’s peak demand, which is anticipated to save local consumers $20 million during the project’s duration. Additionally, it will supply Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School and Wakefield Memorial High School with backup power during blackouts.
With the increasing strain of demand and severe weather on New England’s grid, the initiative makes sure that schools can continue to be powered and act as community shelters in times of need. By using peak shaving revenue to fund the complete electrification of both buildings, the battery eliminates the need for diesel backup generators and makes clean, dependable heating and cooling possible all year round.
“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, WMGLD’s General Manager. “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.”
The effort is the third project in a larger relationship between Lightshift and MMWEC to provide energy storage devices to numerous utilities that are members of the joint action agency. It is projected that the MMWEC program will save Massachusetts residents over $200 million in energy costs.
“This project is such a wonderful 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,” stated 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.”
“We’re thrilled to be part of this partnership with Lightshift Energy, WMGLD, and several other municipal light plants,” stated Jason Viadero, MMWEC’s Director of Engineering and Generation Assets. “Wakefield has been one of the energy storage trailblazers among the municipal utilities, having installed their first battery in 2019. Wakefield’s innovative energy park serves as a further demonstration of the innovative thinking necessary for our clean energy future.”
Lightshift is also making a $10,000 commitment to the MetroNorth Boys & Girls Club to help build its planned Energy Education Center, which will inspire and educate the next generation of young leaders, in conjunction with the project launch. The gift is a component of Lightshift’s Beyond the Grid program, which aids important local organizations in the areas where the firm builds and manages energy projects.
