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Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) Program is sponsored by Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). The ACES Program supports innovative energy storage projects that deliver technical, economic, or community value.
It provides competitive cost-share grants to help offset the costs of pilot, demonstration, and pre-commercial energy storage deployments, designed to support early-stage projects that advance innovation and market adoption.
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Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) | MassCEC Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) The Challenge: Accelerate Commercialization and Deployment of Storage Technologies The electric grid will require greater flexibility in order to integrate new renewables and electrify cost effectively. Energy storage performs a variety of functions that benefit both ratepayers and the grid.
Systems can be used to reduce peak demand, defer transmission and distribution investments, reduce GHG emissions, reduce cost of renewables integration, defer new capacity investments, and increase grid flexibility, reliability, and resiliency.
Still nascent in 2017, the energy storage market was in need of replicable projects demonstrating how to optimize the benefits of energy storage for different use cases and how to monetize multiple value streams. The ACES program is part of the Energy Storage Initiative, which builds on the insights from the State of Charge report to advance energy storage in Massachusetts.
To prime Massachusetts for increased commercialization and deployment of storage technologies, ACES piloted energy storage demonstration projects with the goal of creating innovative, broadly replicable energy storage use cases/business models with multiple value streams. Many of the projects integrate storage with other technologies, such as solar PV and demand management.
By analyzing existing energy storage systems and different use models, the Commonwealth determined how to optimize the benefits of energy storage for different cases and provided funding to demonstrate these use cases.
Through public presentations and aggregated reports, ACES has educated customers, utilities, consumers, policy makers and a variety of industry stakeholders on the benefits and successful business models of energy storage . ACES also helped de-risk future investments in energy storage projects by demonstrating replicable financial models and use cases, enabling storage developers to confidently grow their businesses.
The energy storage market is now growing rapidly thanks in part to early support from the Commonwealth.
8 from State of Charge , plus one new use case Total energy storage proposed Grant funding requested / Cost-share leveraged 14 Unique Business Models Varied approaches to stacking value from diverse grid services Awardee Host Sites and Facility Types Final project costs are often higher than originally budgeted, and external factors such as import tariffs can affect project costs.
However, it is possible to negotiate additional revenue streams by collaborating with either demand aggregators or local utilities. Permitting and Approval Process Host sites and developers should budget significant time for the permitting process for large energy storage systems; project planning and approvals usually took longer than project construction.
Energy storage projects present unique safety concerns that must be addressed in a site-specific way. Projects should include safety plans, use industry-certified equipment, and engage their local fire department.
The interconnection process can burden projects and create long timelines due to the application process, interconnection impact studies, utility review, engineering screening, and a lack of transparency between the EDC and developers. Municipal Light Plant projects typically have more streamlined interconnection processes. The complexity and scope of commissioning can vary by energy storage system project.
Issues during commissioning may result in delays in early project activities and should be planned early in the project development process. Energy Storage System (ESS) Technology Lithium-ion batteries are the market leader in battery storage due to their commercial availability, market reputation, and familiarity with the technology, but risks are still associated with their deployment.
Alternative technologies are available for use but are generally not mature enough in the market for widespread application. Regional Network Service (RNS) Dispatch ESS dispatch strategy influences estimated discharge effectiveness, which can range significantly, and is also affected by unexpected or unseasonal weather. ACES Initial Findings.
pdf Program Outputs and Reports Aggregated Reports and Associated Time Series Data First Report (including memo on financing, siting, and permitting), Sep 2020 Second Report (including memo on safety and interconnection), Dec 2020 Third Report (including memo on commissioning and reporting), March 2021 Fourth Report (including memo on ESS technology and co-location), Feb 2022 Fifth Report (including memo on discharge effectiveness), July 2022 Sixth Report (including memo on O&M and supply chain challenges ), December 2022 Seventh Report (including memo on grantee lessons learned), July 2023 Technology Providers and Integrators The ACES Request for Project Proposals (RFP) was released Spring 2017.
The RFP design was based on recommendations from the State of Charge study. Selection considerations included project use cases and benefits, business models, and geographic diversity. Staff favored projects with many diverse benefits and value streams, both monetizable and non-monetizable, that would benefit ratepayers, utilities, and/or bulk power systems.
Successful projects showcased examples of future storage deployment, helped to grow the energy storage economy, and contributed to Massachusetts' leadership in clean energy innovation. To assist in managing the ACES program, MassCEC engaged a program consultant to provide expertise in energy storage projects and energy analytics.
The program consultant helped evaluate and verify the value of the storage systems' realized and non-monetizable benefits. The consultant also provided assistance in evaluating technical and business models , pro-formas, and energy data, and performed related program management tasks.
Project and Consultant RFPs Attachment A - Application Form Attachment B - Signature Form Attachment C - Project Narrative Attachment D - Project Workplan Attachment E - Project Budget Attachment F - Project Pro Forma Attachment G - Signed Letters of Intent ACES Program Consultant RFP Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network Award Potential: Up to $1,200,000 Application Deadline: Strand A: March 18, 2026 Strand B: Rolling, through May 15, 2027 Decarbonization Pathways Pilot Program Area High Performance Buildings Award Potential: $10,000 - $30,000, subject to income qualification Program Area High Performance Buildings Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Innovative storage projects demonstrating new technologies, use cases, or community benefits. Universities are eligible. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) Program is funded by Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Massachusetts. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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