City of Lowell Accepts $2.5 Million Grant to Improve Climate Resiliency at Lowell Regional Water Utility

LOWELL — The City of Lowell will be able to improve climate and storm resiliency at the Lowell Water Treatment Facility on Pawtucket Boulevard thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). 

The $2.5 million Advancing Massachusetts Power (AMP) Energy Storage Grant will enable the City to buy a massive industrial battery that can power essential systems at the Water Utility for approximately eight hours in the event of a power outage. 

The new battery, which can provide up to 469 kilowatts of power from a battery that stores 4,514 kilowatt-hours of energy, will also be able to recharge itself using an array of solar panels outside the facility. 

Extreme weather caused by climate change will strain the electricity grid, so building climate resilience into critical infrastructure such as the City’s water systems is crucial for the future. 

The AMP Energy Storage Grant Program will distribute a total of $40.3 million to 29 communities statewide to power critical facilities during outages, provide safety and education training to first responders and local officials, and support two long-duration storage projects that use innovative technologies.

Mayor Erik Gitschier said the solar panel array at the Water Utility has already produced more than 6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, saving the City more than $300,000 in utility costs. 

“This AMP grant will allow us to take the next step by renewing and modernizing this renewable energy system,” he said. 

Rep. Tara Hong, Sen. Vanna Howard, and City Councilor Belinda Juran were in attendance as Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony spoke about the grant program. 

City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr., singled out Sustainability Director Katherine Moses for helping to secure the grant, and for working in multiple ways to build the City’s climate resiliency, and to support energy ratepayers. Moses has led efforts to bring approximately $32 million in funding to Lowell overall. 

Solect Energy will own the new battery system and manage the grant, while the Lowell Water Treatment Plant will be the beneficiary.

Following the presentation outside of the Lowell Regional Water Utility, Chief Utility Officer Aaron Fox led Commissioner Mahony and others on a tour of the water facility. 

“This grant represents yet another step in our effort to build a more resilient, reliable and modern City infrastructure,” said City Manager Golden. “I want to thank the Department of Energy Resources for their support, Commissioner Mahony for her thoughtfulness, and all of the hard-working staff who keep this building running just like this battery will.”

“Power outages disrupt vital services communities depend on. We’re thrilled to award the City of Lowell this grant for a battery energy storage system that, along with their existing solar, will help ensure the Greater Lowell community has clean drinking water during outages without adding excess pollution to the air,” said Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “The clean energy stored by the battery system will also reduce monthly energy costs and provide added revenue to the City, lowering costs for the residents and businesses served by the Lowell Regional Water Utilities.”