States like California, Nevada, Illinois, Virginia, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Texas are leading the way in energy storage deployment to meet rising electricity demand, strengthen grid reliability, and deliver affordable power. California has surpassed its energy storage targets with over 21,000 MW of capacity, reducing peak generation demands. Nevada has already exceeded its 2030 energy storage goal, while Illinois is aiming for 3,000 MW by 2030 through the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act. Virginia, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Texas are also expanding energy storage targets and investing in solutions to keep the grid reliable and power affordable for ratepayers. These states serve as examples for policymakers looking to build a more reliable grid through energy storage.
Tag: Massachusetts
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The Spark: How Neighbors Are Banding Together to Go Greener
In Marblehead, Massachusetts, volunteers like Lisa Wolf are leading a green revolution by coaching homeowners on transitioning to energy-efficient heat pumps through programs like HeatSmart Alliance. These efforts are crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from home energy use, which accounts for about 20 percent of emissions in the U.S. Despite challenges in historic areas, heat pump coaches are helping homeowners navigate their options and access state rebates for green energy solutions. Additionally, initiatives like Window Dressers in Maine are providing custom window inserts to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating costs, with a focus on helping low-income customers. By organizing locally and providing support and resources, these volunteers are driving America's green transition at the grassroots level.
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/the-spark-green-home-energy/
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Partnership with EnergyHub, Sunrun, & The Mobility House to Test Massachusetts Residential Vehicle-to-Grid Program for Eversource & National Grid Customers
Eversource, National Grid, EnergyHub, Sunrun, and The Mobility House are collaborating to test vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities in Massachusetts, allowing EV drivers to earn incentives while supporting grid reliability and affordability. By enrolling V2G-capable EVs in the Connected Solutions program, drivers can help reduce grid strain and enhance stability, turning parked EVs into valuable tools for a more reliable energy system. National Grid is also using V2G for light-to-medium-duty fleets, while Eversource is exploring opportunities with school districts. The Mobility House focuses on shaping a zero emissions future by providing resilient EV charging technology that integrates flexible charging with energy systems to stabilize the grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
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Fusion is ready. Is Trump’s Washington?
Commonwealth Fusion Systems is set to unveil their fusion reactor, SPARC, at a research park in Massachusetts with the goal of generating more energy than it consumes, potentially offering a carbon emissions-free energy source by the early 2030s. With $3 billion in backing from investors like Bill Gates and Google, the company is on track to switch on the reactor next year. This innovative fusion reactor, designed to trigger the same atom-fusing reaction as the sun, could revolutionize energy production for power plants and homes, offering a promising solution to combat climate change.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/fusion-is-ready-is-trumps-washington/
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Massachusetts ‘vehicle-to-everything’ demonstration hints at EV batteries’ grid potential
Massachusetts is deploying bidirectional electric vehicle chargers to explore using EV batteries for backup power, self-consumption, and demand response, funded by the American Rescue Plan. The program aims to understand how electric buses and other vehicles can interact with the grid as EV adoption increases, offering significant revenue opportunities for vehicle owners. State- and utility-led bidirectional charging programs are becoming more common across the US, with the state's ConnectedSolutions virtual power plant providing generous compensation for owners of bidirectional-capable EVs. Despite concerns about balancing power needs with vehicle owner usage during demand response events, there is optimism that utilities will overcome obstacles and utilize the significant energy storage capacity of EV batteries to cover a meaningful fraction of vehicles on the road in Massachusetts.
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Beyond Washington: Nine examples of local governments taking climate action
State and city governments across the United States are taking bold climate action, leading the way in renewable energy expansion, ecosystem protection, and regenerative agriculture promotion as federal leadership falters. California and Vermont have set ambitious goals for renewable energy sourcing, while Chicago is transitioning to clean energy and carbon neutrality by 2050. States like Oregon and Massachusetts are implementing innovative conservation and food waste reduction policies, aligning with the One Earth Solutions Framework to combat climate change. These local efforts demonstrate the tangible results of determined action and serve as a blueprint for national and global climate solutions, emphasizing the importance of starting meaningful change at the local level.
https://www.oneearth.org/nine-examples-of-local-governments-taking-climate-action/
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Massachusetts flips on power from Vineyard Wind
Massachusetts successfully activated long-term power contracts for Vineyard Wind, the first offshore wind project in the country, overcoming setbacks from the Trump administration and a turbine supplier. Court rulings in favor of Vineyard Wind allowed the $4.5 billion project to progress, with turbines now being tested and brought online. The power purchase agreements are projected to save consumers $1.4 billion over their lifetime and have helped stabilize electricity prices during a high-demand winter. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey emphasized Vineyard Wind as a crucial component of the state's strategy to reduce energy prices.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/massachusetts-flips-on-power-from-vineyard-wind/
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As Fossil Fuel Costs Rise, Renewable Energy And Storage Shine
Renewable energy and energy storage are dominating new utility-scale power generation capacity in the US, providing opportunities for energy consumers to buffer against fossil fuel price spikes. New York and New Jersey are leading the way in developing robust renewable energy profiles, with a focus on incentives for homeowners and innovative projects like floating solar power plants. Virtual power plants are being utilized to coordinate demand and supply among small devices, helping utilities avoid costly new gas plant construction. States like Massachusetts are setting ambitious targets for offshore wind projects and new solar and storage capacity by 2035, aiming to achieve significant savings through renewable energy initiatives. Despite uncertainties surrounding factors like natural gas costs and federal energy policy changes, US states are continuing to promote renewable energy transitions with incentives for energy storage, virtual power plants, and new wind and solar projects.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/17/as-fossil-fuel-costs-rise-renewable-energy-storage-shine/
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2 large wind farms finish construction on East Coast
America's first major sea-based wind project, Vineyard Wind, completed construction with 62 turbines south of Massachusetts, while Revolution Wind began generating electricity with 65 turbines in Connecticut and Rhode Island. This marks a significant milestone in the two-decade push to build offshore wind in New England, despite resistance from President Trump. The projects will power 750,000 homes and are the largest renewable energy projects east of the Mississippi River. The success of Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind represents a major win for New England's ambitious climate goals and efforts to reduce reliance on natural gas. Despite facing delays and challenges, including national security concerns and higher costs, Revolution Wind is contributing to clean energy, emission reductions, and economic growth in Rhode Island. Uncertainty remains for future offshore wind projects in the region, with Massachusetts and Connecticut delaying decisions and halting contracting.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/2-large-wind-farms-finish-construction-on-east-coast/
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Massachusetts’ least-cost 2050 peak power mix is combustion-free: report
A report by Synapse Energy Economics for the Massachusetts Clean Peak Coalition suggests that Massachusetts can fully decarbonize peak generation by 2050 at a lower cost than continuing to run fossil-fuel peaker plants. The report recommends a portfolio of clean peaking resources including demand-side resources, energy storage, and wind generation. Challenges remain in fully decarbonizing the electricity system, particularly with the shift to a winter-peaking system and the current design of ISO New England's capacity market favoring fossil-fuel generators. The coalition is unsure if recent changes to the grid operator's capacity accreditation model will benefit decarbonization efforts in Massachusetts, but a peak generation portfolio combining wind, energy storage, and demand response could serve winter peaks at a lower cost than the current combustion-dominated generation mix. Regulators and policymakers need to focus on energy efficiency, longer-duration energy storage, addressing community concerns around wind siting, and considering climate and public health impacts to build this portfolio cost-effectively and explore alternatives to fossil peakers and combined heat and power plants.