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Rowley utility explores battery storage but faces cost and space hurdles
Summary
At its Dec. 17 meeting, the Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant discussed feasibility for a battery storage project, citing study cost estimates of $50,000–$120,000, a likely one-megawatt minimum from developers, and limited yard space that could constrain system size.
General Manager Matthew Brown told the Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant commission on Dec. 17 that the utility is pursuing more information about a potential battery storage project but has run into cost and siting constraints. Brown said he spoke with Energy New England and a representative from Citizens about the project and would continue follow-up work.
Brown said the utility received an initial estimate that a level-three study would cost between $50,000 and $120,000 and could take a year or more to complete. He said Citizens indicated it would absorb the cost of that study if the project is ultimately built; otherwise the municipal utility would pay 50 percent. Brown also noted that National Grid and Eversource conduct internal interconnection studies for such projects.
Commissioner Danby Whitmore asked whether developers had considered smaller systems. Brown reported the parties said they would not be interested in anything smaller than one megawatt. Commissioner Mark Cousins added the substation yard has space for only one battery and recommended maximizing the use of that space rather than pursuing a one-megawatt design that would not fit multiple units.
Brown said he will reach back to Energy New England with the board’s questions and return with more information. The discussion did not include any motion or vote; the item remains at the information-and-follow-up stage.
