New battery storage projects in Massachusetts aim to lower power costs and reduce peak demand.
Lightshift Energy plans to add six battery energy storage projects across Massachusetts, expanding a statewide portfolio designed to reduce electricity costs and improve grid reliability for municipal utilities.
The new projects will be built in Georgetown, Ipswich, Groton, Princeton, Ashburnham, and Marblehead. Together, they will add more than 23 MW of storage capacity and are expected to generate over $90 million in lifetime savings for participating utilities and ratepayers.
The announcement follows six battery storage projects that are already operating in the state. A seventh project is currently under construction, while several others remain in advanced development stages.
The effort is being carried out in partnership with the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), which supplies power resources to municipal light departments across the state.
Batteries target peaks
The battery systems will store electricity during periods of low demand, when power prices are lower, and discharge energy when demand and prices rise.
This strategy, known as peak shaving, helps utilities reduce transmission and capacity charges, which are among the largest contributors to electricity costs in Massachusetts.
By lowering electricity demand during peak periods, the batteries can also reduce reliance on fossil fuel generation that is typically brought online when grid demand surges.
The six projects include a 3-MW system in Georgetown, a 5-MW project in Ipswich, a 4-MW installation in Groton, a 3.5-MW project in Princeton, a 3-MW facility in Ashburnham, and a 5-MW battery system in Marblehead.
Unlike standalone projects developed individually, Lightshift is grouping the installations into a larger portfolio. The company says this approach helps reduce costs, accelerate deployment, and provide a larger storage resource to the grid.
“Massachusetts’ municipal utilities have often paved the way on the frontier of grid modernization, and these projects continue that tradition,” said Rory Jones, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Lightshift Energy.
Portfolio model expands
According to the company, the portfolio strategy allows smaller municipal utilities to benefit from economies of scale that are typically available only to much larger projects.
The model also helps streamline project development and grid interconnection by coordinating multiple battery installations under a single deployment strategy.
Lightshift credits its partnership with MMWEC as a key factor behind the rollout. As New England’s largest provider of asset-owned generation for municipal light departments, MMWEC works with member utilities on power generation and infrastructure projects across Massachusetts.
Jones said the portfolio approach offers advantages beyond traditional project development.
“What makes this program particularly unique is the portfolio strategy. By developing these projects as a fleet across the state, we’re able to dramatically reduce cost and increase speed to interconnect, maximizing savings, reliability, and market value for participating communities. For municipal utilities looking to rapidly manage rising energy costs and strengthen their systems, this model provides a powerful blueprint.”
Lightshift said an additional eight battery storage projects are currently in advanced stages of development in Massachusetts, signaling continued investment in energy storage as utilities seek ways to manage rising power demand and grid costs.
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With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.