Re “Cold brings region’s power vulnerabilities to mind: Dependence on natural gas could be weakness for grid” (Page A1, Jan. 26): Jon Chesto’s article raises important questions about New England’s energy future. As we electrify heating and transportation, it will be critical to build the infrastructure that ensures reliability and a low-cost transition to the low-carbon economy. Modernizing the grid through development of transmission and energy storage are two critical steps policy makers must take.
Offshore and onshore wind perform well during the winter when the grid is stretched. Additional transmission will be needed to connect offshore wind projects far from shore and onshore wind in Northern New England. Both resources are located more than 100 miles from population centers where energy demand is greatest.
Legislation under consideration by the Massachusetts House requires independent transmission for offshore wind. The Baker administration should work with other New England states to build infrastructure benefiting the region.
Large-scale energy storage is being used to back up renewable energy and enable replacement of traditional power plants in California, New York, and Australia. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other New England states are advancing energy storage programs that should be accelerated. What we cannot do is wait.
The transition to renewable energy is underway, and we have the tools to ensure reliability. Now the region must act.
– Peter Shattuck, President, New England, Anbaric
Anbaric specializes in the development of large-scale electric transmission and storage systems to bring renewable energy to markets.
Article originally appeared as a Letter to the Editor, Boston Globe.