GMP energy storage program saves customers millions

COLCHESTER, Vt. (WCAX) - Green Mountain Power crews say the technology behind their growing energy storage network passed the test this summer.

During peak times of energy use, GMP turns to a network of battery storage devices in people’s homes and in storage facilities to bring down the cost of electricity.

Turning to the stored energy means they don’t need to turn to more expensive and dirty fossil fuels, like coal.

GMP Vice President Josh Castonguay says they saved customers $3 million this year during energy peaks because of the system.

It has been three years since the pilot program began and Castonguay says it was the first summer basically all the batteries were installed in people’s homes and operating.

“This summer was a great test to see that one, the batteries are hitting their peaks, able to use them during the peaks, the software works. And two, they were able to perform that emergency backup for the host customers during those outages,” Castonguay said.

Officials say batteries in GMP’s programs provided more than 16,000 hours of backup power to customers this year.

This isn’t a pilot anymore, with two full-fledged programs running. There are about 2,700 batteries installed in homes.

Castonguay says he thought more rural Vermonters would be signing up, but it has spread out across the state.

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