by Hudson Kamphausen
HARTFORD, CT – As Connecticut continues to prioritize clean energy solutions, developers have been invited to submit proposals for clean, cost-effective electricity storage.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released a request for proposals (RFP) in late April, with several private developers and groups submitting plans over the last few weeks.
The list of potential developers includes:
• Rhynland Energy (multiple projects);
• Ormat Nevada;
• Novis Renewables;
• Nexamp Energy (multiple projects);
• New Leaf;
• Lightshift;
• Kinsley Group & Triad Advanced Energy Development LLC (multiple projects), and;
• Key Capture Energy (multiple projects). One of the main issues that legislators tried to address during this year’s short session was the future of clean energy in the state, and attempting to move Connecticut toward a zero-carbon future.
The new request comes as the result of legislation passed in 2021, and asks developers to outline whether their projects support the interconnection of environmentally beneficial projects such as EV charging facilities – largely in disadvantaged communities – as well as other resources.
Any agreement resulting from the RFP process is also subject to federal and Connecticut laws and regulatory approvals, according to the RFP. The RFP also says that developers are responsible for obtaining all necessary federal, state, or local regulatory approvals, as applicable to their project.
The proposal from one of the larger developers, Ormat Nevada, outlines some of the developer’s promises. The Ormat project, called “Silk City,” will store about 100 MWac (aka mega watts alternating current) of renewable solar energy for energy consumers in the state.
Other proposals from developers like Rhynland Energy – which focuses on battery energy storage – and Nexamp – another large, Boston-based energy provider – include several projects for different locations in Connecticut. Nexamp’s proposal for an energy storage facility in Stafford Springs would store 5,000 kW of solar energy.
The electricity storage RFP comes as the state continues efforts to expand the offshore wind industry. The state is currently considering bids from Ørsted, Avangrid, and South Coast Wind, which were submitted in March, for a new offshore wind farm.
The proposal evaluation team for the storage RFP will include representatives from DEEP, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the Office of Consumer Counsel, United Illuminating, and Eversource.
Consultants have also been hired to take part in the evaluation if the proposals.