Electric utility United Illuminating has received three regulatory approvals for battery energy storage system pilot projects in Bridgeport, New Haven and North Haven.
The projects involve adding microgrids capable of producing up to 16 hours of electricity for critical infrastructure and facilities during an outage.
“These battery storage systems help ensure that despite the risk of outages during increasingly severe storms, we can meet and exceed our most essential obligation: providing reliable, resilient power to all our customers as often as possible, particularly to those elderly and underserved communities who need it most,” said Frank Reynolds, president and CEO of UI.
The proposed 2.3 megawatt microgrid in Bridgeport would provide at least 12 hours of power to 282 metered customers in Cartright Towers, Cartright Condo Association and Bridgeport Elderly Apartments.
The proposed 2.5 megawatt microgrid in New Haven would provide 16 hours of power to Hill Regional Career High School. The school is used to provide shelter during emergencies.
The proposed 1.5 megawatt microgrid in North Haven would provide at least four hours of power to Montowese Health & Rehabilitation, a facility for senior living care and rehabilitation services.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, in its decision, found that all three projects “would provide reliability and resiliency to critical facilities in the community and provide value to ratepayers.”
UI sought approvals for the projects under a state law signed into law in May 2022 that authorized electric distribution companies to build energy storage systems that “enhance the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid.”
UI plans to seek federal funding to help move the projects forward.
