$10 Million For Energy Storage In Massachusetts
A new $10 million dollar initiative for energy storage has been announced in Massachusetts by the Baker-Polito administration. The funding is from the Department of Energy Resources to conduct research into the ways the state can support local energy storage companies and to create public policies that encourage energy storage.
“The Commonwealth’s plans for energy storage will allow the state to move toward establishing a mature local market for these technologies that will, in turn, benefit ratepayers and the local economy. Massachusetts has an exciting opportunity to provide a comprehensive approach to support a growing energy storage industry with this initiative’s analysis, policy and program development,” said Governor Charlie Baker.
Government funding to examine how public policy can play a constructive role in helping energy storage gain a foothold and especially by assisting local companies may be quite beneficial. Energy storage is critically important for disaster situations when utility-based electricity is knocked out, and in order to prevent the electricity grid from getting knocked out. It also helps the development of renewable energy projects, because it fills in the gaps when wind and solar power are not generating enough electricity very neatly and quickly.
Of course, Massachusetts is home to some of the top universities in the world, like MIT and Harvard, with large, impressive talents pools that are interested in technology. Startups often emerge from them, and state support is important for economic stimulation. Obviously, local startups contribute to a state’s economy by providing jobs and paying taxes. Ambri is one of those companies.
Massachusetts is one of America’s solar power state leaders, no doubt because of support at the policy level. The goal for solar there is to install 1.6 GW by 2020. It appears its government is taking energy storage seriously as well. There has already been an investment in battery storage this year.
Image Credit: Fcb981, Wiki Commons
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