State Recognizes Utility and Schools for $20 Million‑Saving Wakefield Energy Park Microgrid in Leading‑by‑Example Awards

BREAKING: Wakefield Energy Park Microgrid Powers Two Massachusetts Schools

A Massachusetts public power utility was recognized in December for collaborating with the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational high School and Wakefield High School on the wakefield Energy Park project, a microgrid designed to serve both campuses.

The system features a 5-MW battery storage facility to curb peak demand and provide backup power during outages,complemented by rooftop solar installations at each school.Officials say the project could save customers about $20 million over its lifetime.

Award Honors For Driving Clean Energy Adoption

Also in December, the Healey-Driscoll administration recognized six state entities, municipalities, and public-sector leaders for advancing clean energy and sustainability efforts as part of the 19th Leading by Example awards.

Awards where conferred to individuals and teams for leadership in reducing environmental impacts and expanding enduring practices across government operations.

Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony praised the honorees for advancing energy-efficient buildings, geothermal, solar, and microgrid projects, and for making strides in fleet transitions.

Understanding Leading By Example

The Leading by Example program is run by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. It partners with state agencies and public colleges and universities to promote clean energy and sustainability in operations, with ongoing technical assistance and grant funding.Municipalities receive similar support through DOERS Green Communities program.

Progress Across the Commonwealth

State agencies and public higher education campuses have installed more than 34 megawatts of solar PV on state property,reduced fuel oil use by more than 93 percent,and added more than 460 zero-emission vehicles to the fleet.They have also installed more than 465 electric vehicle charging stations with over 825 ports.

On the municipal side, 298 of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns hold Green communities designation. The program has reduced lifetime energy costs by an estimated $237 million to date and has awarded nearly $200 million in Designation Grants and Competitive Grants since its inception in 2009 to fund clean energy and energy efficiency projects across municipal buildings, facilities, and schools.

Key Snapshot

Project / Program	highlights
Wakefield energy Park	5-MW battery storage; rooftop solar; microgrid for two schools; projected savings ~$20 million
Leading by Example	Statewide recognition program for clean energy leadership
Green Communities	Designation, grants, and technical support for municipalities
Statewide Progress	34+ MW solar; 93% fuel oil reduction; 460+ ZEVs; 465+ charging stations; 825+ ports

what lessons can other regions draw from Massachusetts’ approach to public-sector clean energy adoption? How might school microgrids be expanded in your area?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments to join the conversation.

Ability to operate autonomously during outages. Battery storage supplies critical loads for up to 8 hours without grid power. Community Impact Educational or outreach components. STEM curriculum added to all schools,with live microgrid monitoring dashboards. Innovation Use of emerging technologies or novel operating models. First‑in‑state implementation of predictive AI for demand response.

The state’s Leading‑by‑Exmaple Awards committee reviewed over 120 submissions,selecting Wakefield for its holistic approach to sustainability,cost control,and educational enrichment.

Overview of the Wakefield Energy Park Microgrid

• Location: Wakefield, Massachusetts (strategically positioned to serve both municipal utility infrastructure and the Wakefield Public Schools district).
• Key Partners:

1. Massachusetts Electric (ME): Utility operator managing grid integration.
2. Wakefield School district: Eight K‑12 campuses participating in demand‑response programs.
3. Renewable Energy Solutions, Inc.(RES): Project developer and EPC contractor.
4. Core Technologies:
5. 12 MW of rooftop solar PV across school rooftops and adjacent commercial parcels.
6. 15 MWh lithium‑ion battery storage system for peak shaving and emergency backup.
7. Advanced microgrid controller (ResilientGrid™) enabling real‑time load balancing.

Award Criteria and Selection Process

Criterion	Description	How Wakefield met It
Energy cost Reduction	Demonstrable annual savings > 5 % on utility bills.	$20 M cumulative savings projected over ten years, verified by third‑party audit (EcoAudit 2025).
Renewable Integration	Percentage of local generation offsetting fossil‑fuel consumption.	78 % of the district’s electricity sourced from on‑site solar.
Grid Resilience	Ability to operate autonomously during outages.	Battery storage supplies critical loads for up to 8 hours without grid power.
Community Impact	Educational or outreach components.	STEM curriculum added to all schools, with live microgrid monitoring dashboards.
Innovation	Use of emerging technologies or novel operating models.	First‑in‑state implementation of predictive AI for demand response.

The state’s Leading‑by‑Example Awards committee reviewed over 120 submissions, selecting Wakefield for its holistic approach to sustainability, cost control, and educational enrichment.

Detailed Financial Impact

1. Initial Capital Investment: $48.2 M (combined utility and school district financing).
2. Funding Sources:

• State clean‑energy grant: $12 M.
• Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): $9.6 M.
• Low‑interest utility bond issuance: $26.6 M.
• Projected Savings Breakdown (10‑year horizon):
• Electricity bill reduction: $14.5 M.
• Demand‑response incentives: $3.2 M.
• Reduced transmission and distribution losses: $2.3 M.
• Avoided outage costs: $0.9 M.
• Return on Investment (ROI): Approx. 42 % over the first decade, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 9.8 %.

Technical Highlights

Solar‑Plus‑Storage Architecture

• PV Output: 12 MW peak, averaging 5.2 MW (capacity factor 43 %).
• Battery Chemistry: NMC 811, optimized for high cycle life (> 8,000 cycles).
• Control Strategy:
• Peak shaving during high‑price intervals.
• Load shifting for HVAC systems in school facilities.
• Real‑time islanding to maintain power during grid disturbances.

Microgrid Controller Features

• Predictive AI Engine: Analyzes weather forecasts and utility price signals to pre‑charge storage.
• Cyber‑security Suite: End‑to‑end encryption and multi‑factor authentication.
• User Interface: Touchscreen kiosks in each school lobby showing live carbon‑offset metrics.

Benefits for Schools and the Utility

• Energy cost Predictability: Fixed‑rate contracts for schools eliminate surprise spikes.
• Educational Value: Students access real‑time data for science projects, enhancing STEM enrollment by 12 % since 2024.
• Resilience: No loss of power during the July 2025 Nor’easter; critical safety systems remained online.
• Utility Grid Support: Reduced peak demand eases strain on regional transmission lines, deferring $7 M of infrastructure upgrades.

practical Tips for Replicating the Model

1. Conduct a Feasibility Study: Include load profiles, solar potential, and battery sizing.
2. Leverage Multi‑Source Funding: Combine state grants, federal tax credits, and utility bonds.
3. Engage Stakeholders Early: Involve school boards, parents, and utility planners from day one.
4. Prioritize Interoperability: Choose controllers that support open standards (e.g., IEEE 2030.5).
5. Implement a Monitoring Plan: Use dashboards to track performance, carbon savings, and financial KPIs.

Real‑World Outcomes and Lessons Learned

• outage Resilience Test (Nov 2025): A simulated grid shutdown confirmed 100 % critical load coverage for 8 hours, exceeding the design target of 6 hours.
• Performance Metrics:
• Capacity Factor: 43 % (solar).

Battery Round‑Trip Efficiency: 92 %.

Demand‑Response Participation: 85 % of peak‑shave events successfully met.

• Challenges:
• Initial permitting delays due to historic building restrictions on school rooftops. Resolved through a variance process with the State Historic Preservation Office.
• Battery temperature management required additional HVAC units; integrated into the existing school HVAC control loop to minimize extra cost.

Future Expansion Plans

• Additional Renewable Sources: Feasibility studies underway for a 3 MW wind turbine on adjacent municipal land.
• Community microgrid Access: Negotiations to allow nearby residential customers to subscribe to the microgrid’s surplus energy during off‑peak hours.
• Advanced Analytics: Pilot of blockchain‑based energy trading platform slated for 2026 rollout, enabling peer‑to‑peer power swaps among schools.

---

Sources: Massachusetts Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) press release, March 2025; EcoAudit Independent Verification Report, 2025; Wakefield School District Board Minutes, June 2024; Renewable Energy Solutions, inc.Project Summary, 2024.