Services
The Lightshift Wakefield BESS is a key component to an advanced microgrid backing up two new, all-electric high schools in Wakefield. The project pairs peak shaving services with direct backup capability for the campus microgrid. The innovative project avoids the use of costly natural gas connections for the new schools. This is the third project in a partnership between Lightshift and Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) to deploy energy storage projects across the state.
Project Benefits
Over its lifespan, the project is expected to save WMGLD (Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department) customers $20 million while providing backup power to two new schools. In addition to protection from grid outages, the BESS also enables the schools to be all electric.
Beyond the Grid
Lightshift donated $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro North to establish an Energy Education Center that will include a hands-on lab, community garden, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities to educate and inspire the next generation to explore solutions for a more sustainable future.
If you’re looking at $20 million or so of savings for a 5-megawatt battery, it becomes a very compelling economic story.
Michael Herbert
Lightshift Energy
We don’t want to tell people to install a heat pump and then pay more than they’re paying for their gas heating. If we can drive down the cost of our wholesale power by utilizing these batteries, that’s going to make a world of difference.
Jason Viadero
MMWEC
Wakefield MA BESS 1
Lightshift and Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light have partnered on a 5MW BESS and microgrid as part of Wakefield’s innovative energy park. The peak shaving project also supports a campus microgrid providing backup and islanding capability for two schools.
LOCATION
Wakefield, MA
PROJECT SIZE
5 MW
PROJECTED SAVINGS
$20 million
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS