Charging Forward: Energy Storage Toward a Net Zero Commonwealth

The Challenge: 

The Commonwealth’s path to Net Zero by 2050 requires significant electrification of the transportation and building sectors accompanied by large-scale deployment of non-dispatchable renewable generation. Intermittent renewable generation is subject to unpredictable short- to long-term fluctuations that, at significant levels of penetration, can threaten the reliability of the electric grid. This study examines the current deployment and use cases of energy storage in the Commonwealth, as well as how mid- and long-duration energy storage could potentially benefit the grid and ratepayers, including through improving grid reliability. 

About the Study

Section 80 of Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022 (“An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind”) requires DOER, in consultation with MassCEC, to conduct a study on the existing energy storage market in the Commonwealth and the potential role of mid- and long-duration energy storage technologies. To support DOER and MassCEC in fulfilling this legislative requirement, MassCEC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultants in December 2022. MassCEC selected Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3) to assist with the study.