Building Markets: Energy Storage in Massachusetts and Offshore Wind in Rhode Island

This webinar highlighted two winning programs from CESA’s 2018 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards: Massachusetts’ Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) Program, and Rhode Island’s Block Island Offshore Wind Farm.

In Massachusetts, the Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) Program was created to jump-start the state’s energy storage industry by piloting innovative, broadly replicable energy storage demonstration projects with multiple value streams, thereby priming Massachusetts for increased commercialization and deployment. ACES will demonstrate nine storage use cases to accelerate the adoption of storage technologies, provide benefits to customers and utilities, and highlight market and regulatory barriers. The 26 demonstration projects supported by the ACES program will collectively add 32MW/83MWh to the grid where only 4MW/7MWh currently exists.

In December 2016, Rhode Island became home to North America’s first offshore wind farm with the successful installation and operation of the 30 MW Block Island Offshore Wind Farm. This five-turbine project was developed by Deepwater Wind of Providence, RI. The project connected Block Island to the mainland electrical grid for the first time, allowing residents to end reliance on imported diesel to meet their electric generation needs. The project represents a significant clean energy accomplishment for Rhode Island and the nation, and it is helping to spur an entirely new industry and job creator for the coastal economy.

In two very different ways, each program is successfully advancing emerging clean energy technologies in their state. Guest speakers from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (RIOER) presented.

Presenters:

• Kavita Ravi, Director of Emerging Markets, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
• Galen Nelson,Senior Director, Innovation and Industry Support, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
• Chris Kearns, Interdepartmental Manager and Legislative Liaison, Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources

Learn more about the 2018 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards here.