Correction: A previous version of this article misstated DOER's recommended 600 MW energy storage procurement target.
Dive Brief:
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Massachusetts plans to offer $14 million in energy resiliency grants for critical care facilities, Microgrid Knowledge reports.
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The grants are intended to fund feasibility studies and project implementation of microgrids and similar technologies at both state and private medical facilities.
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The critical facility grants are the third round of funding from a $40 million pool started by former Gov. Deval Patrick (D) to provide funds for clean energy resiliency programs.
Dive Insight:
Massachusetts has been active in promoting microgrids to boost the resiliency of its communities and services, starting in 2014 when former Gov. Patrick pushed an initiative to prepare the state for climate change preparedness. Out of that initiative sprung the $40 million pool to fund clean energy projects for communities.
The state released $26 million in two earlier funding rounds, resulting in a range of projects, including a microgrid in Northampton that integrates renewables and solar-plus-storage installations at four community centers in Boston.
A report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in July said Boston could save $1.7 billion by implementing microgrids. About 156 microgrids operate in the country, according to Navigant research, composing 1.54 GW of capacity. More than a dozen new projects have been commissioned this year, with 81 in development stages.
On another note, the Bay State just set a new storage mandate, with the state Department of Energy Resources saying the state could hit 600 MW of storage if all recommended programs are adopted. The mandate could open the way for more solar-plus-storage projects similar to one of the microgrids receiving funding in an earlier round of funding.