Energy Storage, Utilities, Wind  -  October 6, 2017

Massachusetts HS installs massive flow battery project

The result of a collaboration between the U.S. DOE, National Grid and Vionx Energy, a private Massachusetts High School is reaping the benefits of a newly installed, 3 MWh energy storage system that is paired with an onsite, utility-scale wind turbine.  

The system, according to an Oct. 5 news release, will store energy from Holy Name Central Catholic High School's wind project, plus a variety of sources from the surrounding community, and discharge it for up to 6 hours per day.  Benefits to the school are expected to be multifaceted and include: helping the school meet its goal of going off-grid by providing a critical energy storage component; offering a valuable learning tool for students involved in the STEM Initiative; and the creation of "energy learning station" for students interested in learning how the system works in conjunction with onsite sources of power generation.

The system will be used to test and operate in 13 specific use case applications providing National Grid with valuable data in helping to optimize their grid operations for renewable energy assets, and is part of a partnership between the utility, Vionx Energy and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The grid-scale storage solution is expected to have a 20-year lifespan. 

Developed under the guidance from the DOE, the project has drawn praise from Rep. Jim McGovern, who represents Worcester and has supported of the advancement of clean energy in Congress.

"Smart partnerships like this that invest in innovation are why Massachusetts continues to be a leader in renewable energy," the congressman said in a statement. "This is a critical step forward for renewable energy and a powerful example of why Massachusetts is a model in sustainability that states around the country will continue to look to for inspiration."

Massachusetts recently created a goal of having 200 MWh of energy storage in the state by 2020. 

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