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June 12, 2025
Ameresco Celebrates the Completion Solar Canopy Project with the City of Pendleton, Oregon
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As triple-digit temperatures arrived ahead of the official start of summer once again this year, the U.S. is bracing for what has become an all-too-common pattern; a season punctuated by relentless heatwaves. The extreme heat is not just a matter of comfort, it is downright dangerous – a public health threat. While air conditioning helps to beat the heat and stay safe, its widespread use often burdens the power grid.
During significant heat events, spikes in energy demand from high air conditioning use are coupled with the fact that power generation and transmission become less efficient at these high temperatures. The weather patterns, energy loads, and infrastructure strain create a perfect storm. The need for a more sustainable solution could not be greater.
Integrating Battery Energy Storage with Renewables
According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), April 2024 was the world’s warmest April since NOAA started keeping records 175 years ago, and 2023 was the planet’s warmest year on record by more than two degrees Fahrenheit. Despite being the hottest summer on record in the United States, the summer of 2023 was largely without power sector incidents. The grid held, and that reliability is in part thanks to an increase in renewable energy and grid resiliency resources – such as solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Front-of-the-meter BESS are grid-scale energy storage technology that can be used in conjunction with intermittent renewable power sources like wind and solar. BESS firms those renewable resources to be used regardless of weather and time of day, extending their dependence on Mother Nature and supporting the integration of renewables into the larger grid.
What’s more, fossil fuel peaking plants that utilities often need to put online during periods of peak demand can be replaced with battery energy storage systems. This alternative can further reduce grid emissions by tapping into renewable generation instead of fossil fuel power in the energy supply chain.
An added benefit of transitioning to a BESS from a fossil fuel generator is the rapid response capability of the BESS – these systems can go from zero to full power within milliseconds.
Reducing Transmission Constraints
In May 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued two orders to address transmission development slowdowns and ensure the grid capacity meets the needs of the clean energy transition. One of those, order 1920, requires transmission providers to plan ahead at least 20 years. In those plans, they must consider including several grid-enhancing technologies, including dynamic line rating, advanced power flow, and advanced conductors.
While commendable and impactful, FERC’s actions do not completely solve the complex problem of speeding up transmission buildout and improving grid reliability and flexibility. In many cases, a battery energy storage system requires no new buildout nor permitting of new transmission lines.
As people arrive home later in the day and turn on appliances such as air conditioning, demand spikes. In the case of solar power, this often coincides with the time when generation is waning for the day based on the sun’s position. However, a BESS paired with solar power can shift energy usage to after sunset or during rainy or cloudy days, allowing energy to be stored and used later rather than being generated and consumed at the same time. The pairing can also address transmission voltage constraints with solar energy previously harnessed.
Enhancing Grid Reliability with BESS
Utilities across the U.S. are embracing energy storage technologies to bolster their grid’s resilience. One marquee example is United Power, an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern Front Range. By strategically locating battery arrays throughout its service territory, new energy storage technology will empower the cooperative to balance its load effectively while seamlessly integrating local renewable resources into their operations.
United Power is partnering with Ameresco to install battery arrays across eight different substation sites, cumulatively totaling approximately 78 MW / 323 MWh. The BESS will allow the cooperative to store and dispatch power efficiently during periods of high consumption. The best practices in energy storage are being put into action by United Power, enabling the cooperative to optimize its energy resources, enhance grid resilience, and ensure a reliable electricity supply for its members. The project is expected to be placed in service this year.
As renewable energy resources continue to multiply, so too will the importance of grid-scale storage technology such as battery energy storage systems. Energy storage supports the rapid acceleration of the clean energy transition whether its primary goal is to firm renewable resources, help ease transmission constraint, or boost the reliability of the grid.
Careful planning and key considerations are essential in navigating the energy storage market. Explore how evolving BESS applications are boosting grid reliability and flexibility. Dive into this free resource to demystify the complexities and help to make informed decisions for successful energy storage projects.
