The Maine Department of Energy Resources has asked the Maine Public Utilities Commission to review plans for the state’s first competitive bidding process for energy storage projects. The goal is to lower energy costs and strengthen the electric grid.
If approved, the plan would more than double Maine’s current energy storage capacity by adding up to 360 megawatts of new storage. A green light from regulators would allow the state to start accepting bids from developers.
“This solicitation is designed to bring forward energy storage projects that reduce costs for Maine ratepayers,” said Celina Cunningham, the department’s acting commissioner.
Maine’s 2025 Energy Plan outlines strategies to reduce energy costs, ensure reliability and resilience and increase the diversity of energy resources to meet the state’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2040.
The plan calls for more storage to help make better use of electricity already being generated, reduce strain on the grid during periods of peak demand and strengthen reliability.
Stored electricity
Energy storage systems store electricity when demand is low and discharge it when demand is highest, helping reduce peak electricity demand, improve grid reliability and utilization, and lessen the need for costly new generation and transmission infrastructure, according to a news release.
Maine has a statutory goal of deploying 400 megawatts of energy storage by 2030. To date, Maine has added more than 250 megawatts of grid-connected energy storage and has identified additional storage as a key priority.
Earlier this year, Plus Power opened New England’s largest battery energy storage facility, the 175-megawatt Cross Town Energy Storage in Gorham.
“Maine’s businesses continue to experience unprecedented high costs for electricity,” said Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “It is imperative that the state look to all technologies that can provide affordable and clean options for our economy.”
The department said it would consider energy storage projects that reduce electricity costs for Maine ratepayers, provide local economic and workforce benefits and consider environmental and safety impacts. The PUC has up to 120 days to determine whether the solicitation is consistent with state law before the department can formally issue the request for proposals.
