EVERSOURCE ENERGY
Construction on Eversource Battery Storage Project in Provincetown is Underway
Energy company's industry-leading clean energy solution will improve electric reliability and resiliency for customers in three communities

In an effort to improve power quality and reliability for customers on the Outer Cape, Eversource has started to build the first-in the-nation community battery storage project at the Provincetown transfer station. The state-of-the-art battery will provide back-up power for customers in Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet during an unexpected power outage on the distribution line that runs along Route 6 serving those Outer Cape communities.  

"For years, electricity had to be used as soon as it was produced, but this battery project allows that energy to be stored and used when it's needed most," said Eversource Vice President of Energy Strategy and Policy Roger Kranenburg. "With our industry-leading goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, this project is a strong example of how clean energy transformation can help enhance system resiliency and reflects our commitment to serve as a clean energy catalyst for the region and an environmental steward for our customers."

In a unanimous vote at a town meeting in April of last year, the residents of Provincetown approved the lease for Eversource to build and operate the community battery project. It is expected to provide ten hours of back-up power in the winter and as much as three hours at the height of the Outer Cape's busy summer season. Based on historic data, the battery is expected to significantly reduce outages for customers in Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet. The community battery will also defer the need to construct a new 13 mile distribution line.    

The project will utilize a lithium-ion, 24.9 megawatt/38 megawatt hour battery system that will supply power in the event of an emergency, like an outage. It will also help to offset high electric usage during summer months. Housed inside a Cape-style building, it is one of two Eversource battery storage projects approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. The second proposed community battery project is a 4.9 megawatt/20 megawatt hour facility on Martha's Vineyard. Both projects align with the state's passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act in 2008 that established a greenhouse gas reduction goal of 80% by 2050.

These battery storage projects will bring benefits in improving reliability, increasing the ability to bring distributed energy resources, like solar, onto the distribution grid, and providing support during peak load periods.

The Provincetown battery project is expected to be in service by early next year. Under the energy company's pandemic plan, Eversource employees and contractors follow strict social distancing guidelines and best practices to safeguard health and prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing proper face coverings. For more information on Eversource's preparedness efforts and response to COVID-19, including FAQs for customers, ways to save, and more please visit Eversource.com.

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