Connecticut finalizes Electric Storage Program

Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has finalized the state’s Electric Storage Program, which in conjunction with the Equitable Modern Grid initiative, would bolster system reliability.

PURA’s recent ruling establishes a nine-year plan for residential, commercial, and industrial customers as a means of reducing Eversource Energy (Eversource) and United Illuminating (UI) customer storage system purchasing and implementation costs.

PURA officials attribute the Electric Storage Program’s progression to Public Act (PA) 21-53, which created a statewide goal of deploying 1,000MW of energy storage by the end of 2030.

“Public Act 21-53 put Connecticut on the map as a potential leader in realizing the benefits of energy storage,” PURA Chairman Marissa P. Gillett said, noting the decision builds on the vision via the establishment of a statewide comprehensive program incorporating varied applications and types of electric storage. “I want to thank the Legislature and Gov. Lamont for their leadership and recognition of the vital role storage will play in a truly equitable, decentralized, decarbonized, and modernized grid.”

Energy Storage Association (ESA) Interim CEO Jason Burwen said Connecticut has vaulted to national leadership for distributed energy storage – providing resilience and cost savings to the local electricity system.

“ESA applauds the leadership of Chairman Gillett and looks forward to working with PURA and other stakeholders on the subsequent development of a parallel program that fully captures the benefits of front-of-the-meter energy storage.”