Overview
Station 9 Energy Storage System is a 2 MW pumped hydro storage facility in Braintree, Massachusetts, United States. It is owned by the Town of Braintree and is currently operational.
Station 9 Energy Storage System is a pumped hydro storage facility located in Braintree, Massachusetts, United States. With a capacity of 2 MW, it is a small-scale pumped hydro plant that supports local grid stability and energy management. The facility is owned by the Town of Braintree and is currently operational. Pumped hydro storage is a mature technology that uses two water reservoirs at different elevations to store and generate electricity. While the specific technical details of Station 9 are limited, pumped hydro systems typically provide long-duration storage and are used for peak shaving and grid balancing. In the United States, pumped hydro accounts for the majority of utility-scale energy storage capacity, and facilities like Station 9 contribute to the integration of renewable energy sources. The facility's location in Braintree, a suburban town near Boston, highlights the role of energy storage in urban and peri-urban areas. By providing grid services such as frequency regulation and load shifting, Station 9 helps enhance the reliability of the local electricity network. Its operation aligns with Massachusetts' clean energy goals, which include increasing energy storage deployment to support a resilient and sustainable grid.
Environmental context
Pumped hydro storage facilities like Station 9 are generally considered low-risk in terms of environmental impact, as they use water as the storage medium and have a long operational life. However, siting near populated areas requires careful management of water resources and potential impacts on local ecosystems. The facility's location in Braintree, a densely populated region, necessitates adherence to state and federal environmental regulations to ensure safe operation and minimal disruption to the surrounding community.
Frequently asked questions
Station 9 Energy Storage System is located in Braintree, Massachusetts, United States, at coordinates 42.187700, -70.976400.
Station 9 Energy Storage System has a capacity of 2 MW, making it a small-scale pumped hydro storage facility.
Station 9 Energy Storage System is owned by the Town of Braintree, Massachusetts.
Pumped hydro storage in the U.S. is subject to federal regulations from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). State-level regulations, such as those from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, also apply.
Pumped hydro storage provides grid services such as peak shaving, frequency regulation, and load balancing. It stores energy by pumping water to an upper reservoir and generates electricity by releasing water through turbines.