Solar Panels and Batteries Save New England From Heat Wave Blackouts
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📰 The quick summary: During a recent heat wave in New England, rooftop solar panels and battery networks helped prevent blackouts, reduced fossil-fuel generation, and saved consumers more than $20 million.
📈 One key stat: Behind-the-meter solar made up as much as 22 percent of power consumption in New England during the peak heat wave, helping avoid at least $8.2 million in costs for consumers.
💬 One key quote: “As we see more extremes, the region still will need to pursue an even more robust and diverse fleet of clean energy resources. The power grid was not built for climate change.“
1️⃣ The big picture: New England recently faced a significant challenge when temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, pushing the electric grid close to maximum capacity. Making matters worse, unexpected outages at power plants reduced available generation by more than 1 gigawatt. Fortunately, rooftop solar installations throughout the region and Vermont’s extensive battery network stepped in to provide critical support. These distributed clean energy resources supplied several gigawatts of power, reducing strain on the system and demonstrating how renewable energy can enhance grid resilience during extreme weather events.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Clean energy resources helped maintain grid reliability while dramatically reducing costs for consumers. Behind-the-meter solar provided up to 22 percent of New England’s power needs at peak times, saving customers at least $8.2 million and possibly over $19 million. Vermont’s virtual power plant of residential and EV batteries saved its customers an additional $3 million by reducing the need to purchase expensive power during peak demand. The success shows that distributed clean energy makes the grid more resilient, adaptable, and affordable while reducing carbon emissions. As climate change drives more extreme weather, these systems prove increasingly valuable.
3️⃣ What’s next: Green Mountain Power plans to continue expanding its virtual power plant network, which has already grown by 72% since regulators lifted enrollment caps in 2023. More hot weather this summer and further expansion of clean energy resources will likely increase consumer savings. Other utilities across the country could adopt similar models to build more resilient grids capable of handling climate-driven extreme weather events.
Read the full story here: Grist – A heat wave hit New England’s grid. Clean energy saved the day.
