Energy News for week ending April 21, 2017

It’s Energy News Friday so let’s get started.

Energy storage is getting a lot of play in the media of late, especially with several states, including Massachusetts, offering incentives to develop storage projects. The community of Sterling, MA however is leading the charge (pun intended) and gaining worldwide recognition as one of the leaders in deploying storage technology with its $2.7 million unit with 2MW of lithium-ion batteries and 3MW solar array. According to Renewable Energy World, the units “can be islanded in case of a power outage and will support the town’s police station and emergency dispatch center for at least two weeks — more with solar recharging — meaning Sterling’s first responders will be able to help people in need if a natural disaster knocks out the regional grid.” Moreover, the municipal utility can use the new battery system to control rising power costs. Nice.

This week the Union of Concerned Scientists released its “Clean Energy Momentum: Ranking State Progress” report. In an article in on MassLive.com, journalist Shannon Young writes that Massachusetts ranked third overall in clean energy progress. She cited, “the UCS analysis ranked Massachusetts first for the strength of its energy efficiency standards, and second for electricity savings achieved through state programs and the number of clean energy jobs created. Massachusetts further earned top-10 rankings in six other metrics, including: fifth in the amount of residential solar per capita and the strength of its global warming emissions reduction targets, and sixth in reduction of power plant pollution and creation of an environment friendly to businesses looking to procure clean energy.” California and Vermont led the rankings earning the top two spots.

Last tidbit for today is a story about the Red Sox. According to an article in the Cape Cod Times, the Red Sox “bought renewable energy credits from solar installations at two Wellfleet buildings as part of an effort to reduce the baseball team’s carbon footprint. The team bought the credits to offset all carbon emissions from Monday’s [Patriot’s Day] game.” It was both a win for the Sox and a win for the environment.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.

Natural Gas/Pipeline

Warren, Markey take on FERC over Otis forest pipeline permit, Berkshire Eagle

Visit from state sparks pipeline protest in Shelburne Falls, The Recorder

Hingham selectmen join compressor debate, Wicked Local Braintree

No Urgency to Fix Natural-Gas Leak in Burrillville, ecoRI news

Environmental impact of National Grid pipeline rupture in Providence unknown, RI Future

EIA: Natural gas will be top generation source this summer, Utility DIVE

Chafee Announces Opposition To Burrillville Power Plant, Rhode Island Public Radio

Renewable Energy

Union of Concerned Scientists ranks Massachusetts 3rd in clean energy progress, MassLive.com

From Waste To Watts: How This Grocery Chain Turns Old Food Into New Energy, WBUR