Solar-Plus-Battery Initiatives Gain Momentum in the Northeast Region
Altus Power, a renowned renewable energy company, has made headlines by announcing a cutting-edge 10 MW solar and 15 MWh battery storage project in Holliston, Massachusetts. This forward-thinking venture is set to revolutionize the way electricity is generated and stored in the region, benefiting local businesses and residents alike.
The project’s implementation comes in collaboration with REA, a long-standing channel partner of Altus Power. It will add to the existing 116 MW of solar arrays already owned and operated by the company in Massachusetts. A regional supermarket and community solar customers will receive the benefits of the electricity generated, all under long-term agreements framed within the Massachusetts DOER SMART Program.
The co-CEO and co-founder of Altus Power, Gregg Felton, emphasized the significance of battery storage in the future of renewable energy. He stated, “Battery storage is an important tool for local utilities to ensure grid stability as they increase their reliance on renewable electricity.” He further expressed his belief that storage would increasingly be integrated with Altus Power’s solar arrays to facilitate clean, on-site backup power and electric vehicle charging.
Based in Stamford, Conn., Altus Power’s growth has been remarkable. They recently reported first-quarter 2023 revenues of $29.4 million, marking a 53% increase compared to the previous year. Their expansion strategy involved acquiring an 88 MW commercial solar portfolio across various states, boosting their presence in the renewable energy landscape.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Summit Ridge Energy has commissioned the first two of four planned energy storage systems (ESS), the 15 MWh Arlington and 15 MWh Littlefield projects. The company’s vision to transform New York’s electric grid is coming to life, with the final two projects expected to provide 58 MWh of energy storage capacity.
These energy storage projects, part of the New York State Public Service Commission’s Value Stack (VDER) program, aim to reduce the reliance on diesel-powered peaker plants. Summit Ridge Energy has played a key role in financing, developing, and constructing these projects, collaborating with Qcells as a long-term owner-operator.
Brian Dunn, the chief operating officer at Summit Ridge Energy, acknowledged the essential role of these projects in bolstering New York City’s grid resilience and advancing the state’s shift to renewable energy.
An intriguing partnership has also blossomed between Summit Ridge Energy and New York University’s (NYU) Langone Health. The latter has committed to purchasing all of the bill credits from the initial two projects, aligning with its sustainability goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Paul Schwabacher, senior vice president of facilities operations at NYU Langone Health, underscored the importance of this collaboration, stating, “As we pursue opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our facilities, it is equally as important for us to support efforts to harden and decarbonize New York City’s energy grid for the benefit and resiliency of the communities we serve.”
Summit Ridge Energy’s commitment to a cleaner future doesn’t end there. Over the past five years, the company has invested over $1.6 billion into clean energy assets, with a development pipeline exceeding 2 GW. By the close of 2023, they will have more than 400 MW of PV online, powering 50,000 homes with clean solar energy.
These two groundbreaking announcements from Altus Power and Summit Ridge Energy not only mark significant progress in renewable energy infrastructure but also reflect the innovative spirit that drives a sustainable future. The collaborative efforts and forward-thinking strategies showcased in these projects offer a promising glimpse into an era where renewable energy is not just an alternative, but a standard.
