BGE’s new battery will support the grid in cold weather
New energy storage project will enhance reliability and help BGE avoid undergrounding upgrades to 10 miles of distribution equipment.
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is testing the use of batteries to provide resiliency in part of its grid that are more constrained. The utility said it has just completed a 1MW/2MWh battery project with Ameresco, who will own the battery.
The battery, which will support the grid in southern Anne Arundel County and parts of Calvert County, Maryland, became operational on January 20. It charges at times of low demand and discharges energy back onto the grid when demand is highest—specifically during colder months, said BGE in a press release. Shifting load in this manner reduces overall peak demand, which can in turn reduce strain on the electric grid and enhance system reliability.
This project is one of the significant Path to Clean investments BGE is making.
“Our strategic investments in battery storage are a key part of transforming the grid to further ensure safe, reliable, clean and affordable energy service for our customers,” said Mark Case, vice president of Regulatory Policy and Strategy at BGE.
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The Chesapeake Battery Energy Storage System and under-construction Fairhaven battery storage project were developed pursuant to the Maryland Energy Storage Pilot Project Act, signed into law in 2019 to explore ways to maximize storage value for customers, utilities, and the electric grid, and facilitate innovative commercial approaches for energy storage.
Combined, the two projects will enhance service reliability for 9,000 customers and help BGE avoid expensive undergrounding upgrades to 10 miles of electric distribution equipment.
BGE’s sister Exelon energy delivery companies Pepco and Delmarva Power are also building battery storage pilot projects in Maryland.
The state’s pilot program is facilitating multiple battery storage facility ownership models. Increased competition through the development of a robust market of vendors ensures not only the most competitive prices for customers, but also ultimately a greater variety of offerings.
Ameresco, Inc., a global, independent full-service provider of comprehensive energy services, will own and operate the Chesapeake battery storage facility. When not called upon for capacity by BGE, the facility and vendor Ameresco will participate in the PJM wholesale services markets.
