ENGIE North America has acquired a four-project Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program portfolio, comprising 25 megawatts of solar capacity and 22 megawatt hours of GridSynergy energy storage capacity.
This is the first of a number of solar-plus-storage portfolios that will be constructed, owned and operated by ENGIE in Massachusetts under the SMART program and the latest application of ENGIE Storage’s recent integrated storage development, supply and services offering for wholesale market participation. The portfolio is expected to be operational by third quarter 2020.
“Combining storage with this solar portfolio enhances the overall value of the portfolio, improving the economics for all parties,” said Luis Felipe Birolini, head of U.S. solar development at ENGIE North America. “At the same time, combining distributed solar and grid storage can improve the reliability, resiliency and stability of the electricity grid, and enable the adoption of more renewable energy resources.”
ENGIE has commercialized the largest in front of meter solar-plus-storage project in Holyoke, Mass., to serve Holyoke Gas & Electric customers, and is working to deliver a wholesale market participation offering for third party developers, as well as within ENGIE.
"Innovative storage and solar-plus-storage initiatives in New England are now taking root, and we are seeing the emergence of this industry after years of behind-the-scenes market development,” said Christopher Tilley, CEO of ENGIE Storage.
The portfolio will be operated by ENGIE’s Distributed Solar team and ENGIE Storage, and will participate in ISO New England wholesale markets. ENGIE Storage will operate the energy storage systems for 20 years.
ENGIE Distributed Solar has developed and operates distributed solar installations throughout the United States; however, this is one of the first solar and storage portfolios ENGIE will procure, finance and operate that combines solar and storage at scale.
