Lightshift Energy, a leading energy storage project developer, and the Groton Electric Light Department (GELD) have officially inaugurated their second battery storage project and microgrid in Groton, Massachusetts. The Groton II microgrid was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and local leaders, including Massachusetts Undersecretary of Energy Michael Judge and State Representative Danillo Sena.
The 3 MW energy storage system is designed to deliver both peak shaving benefits and resilient backup power. It will serve two key functions: reducing electricity demand during peak grid events—leading to substantial savings for GELD’s 5,000 customers—and directly powering Florence Roche Elementary School during outages.
“Groton II delivers both cost savings and critical backup power, maximizing the value of energy storage for the community,” said Rory Jones, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Lightshift Energy. “This project reflects the leadership and innovative thinking of GELD.”
GELD Manager Jonathan Patterson echoed the community-centric focus, stating, “We are proud to offer the school and our ratepayers an innovative solution that maintains low rates, enhances reliability, and supports emissions reductions.”
Groton II became operational in August 2024, following the successful deployment of Groton I a month earlier. The initiative positions GELD as one of the first municipal utilities to implement a multi-use microgrid that serves both economic and critical infrastructure needs. The project also reinforces Massachusetts’ broader clean energy goals, showcasing how localized, scalable solutions can contribute to a resilient and sustainable grid.
“This is an exciting example of the innovation happening right here in Groton to lead the clean energy transition,” said Rep. Sena.
Together, Lightshift Energy and GELD are setting a benchmark for municipal clean energy deployment across the region.
