New England States seek federal funding for transmission and energy storage infrastructure

A group of New England states jointly submitted two applications for federal funding to support investments in large-scale transmission and energy storage infrastructure.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, the New Hampshire Department of Energy, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, and the Vermont Department of Public Service jointly submitted applications for the Power Up New England project.

Power Up New England features new and upgraded transmission points of interconnection in Southeast Massachusetts and Southeast Connecticut to unlock up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of additional offshore wind and battery energy storage systems in Southwest Connecticut and Northern Maine. Project developers supporting the Power Up New England application include Elevate Renewables, Eversource Energy, a multi-day energy storage technology provider, and National Grid.

“The Northeast region offers DOE two compelling applications, highlighting our strong regional ties,” Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony said. “As we work to achieve our climate goals and increase the generation of renewable energy in the region, we need to invest in our transmission system and storage resources to deliver clean energy to our residents and businesses.”

The funding would come through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Innovation Program (GIP). Funding through the DOE program would offset costs for transmission and storage infrastructure projects that support clean energy goals, enhance operational flexibility, grid reliability, and resilience during extreme weather events and periods of system stress.

“Interstate collaboration on the grid investments needed to transition to a clean energy economy has never been greater,” Weezie Nuara, assistant secretary for Federal and Regional Energy Affairs at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said. “Offshore wind, stronger ties to our neighbors, and flexible resources like battery storage are key to a reliable and affordable clean energy transition.”

The GIP is intended to fund projects that improve grid reliability and resilience using advanced technologies and innovative partnerships and approaches.

“Power Up presents an opportunity for a transformational investment in New England’s clean energy transition while improving grid reliability, reducing energy burdens for customers, uplifting local communities, and creating high-quality jobs,” Bill Quinlan, president of Transmission and Offshore Wind Projects at Eversource Energy, said.

The maximum award per project is $250 million, or $1 billion for a project with significant transmission investment, like Power Up New England.   The DOE is expected to announce project selections this fall.

“National Grid is proud to partner with the six New England states, New York, and other developers to propose two projects that will drive our region toward a stronger, smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy future,” Lisa Wieland, president of National Grid, New England, said.  “These projects will deliver more clean energy to our customers, create thousands of jobs, and bring significant economic opportunities to our communities.”