The charge of Branford’s Clean Energy Committee (CEC) is to provide information to residents, businesses, and Town entities on ways to reduce energy use and adopt renewable energy technologies, including helping to connect with incentive programs geared to reduce initial costs and increase savings.

That’s why the CEC is currently spreading the news about the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) Grid Edge criteria and the online Eversource Grid Edge map (https://energystoragect.com/grid-edge-map-instructions/). Those on streets adjacent to designated Grid Edge criteria areas on the map (shown as blue or red lines) can receive incentives for an energy storage battery installation and reciprocal use program. The page also provides links to learn more about the program for homes and buildings, contractors, and contact information.

The CEC wants to share news of the program and the news that a number of Branford’s homes and businesses are within the Grid Edge criteria. As such customers, they are eligible for increased incentives under the Energy Storage Solutions Program. Residential customers can quality for upfront incentives based on kilowatt hours of the battery and Grid Edge adders for incentive totals of $7,500. There also incentives for commercial customers. Find out more at ctgreenbank.com/home-solutions/energy-storage-solutions/.

Once installed, the stored energy in the battery system can be operated during outages, much like a generator, to power selected essential appliances such as medical devices, a refrigerator, heat pump, well pump, furnace fan or other electrical needs. Unlike gasoline-powered generators, the battery system requires no set-up during loss of power, has no risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning, and doesn’t emit greenhouse gasses. The batteries can be used in homes and buildings with or without solar power

To help build resiliency and alleviate strain on the electrical grid, the program requires passive dispatch from batteries back to the grid during peak electrical demand, in return for a utility cost savings provided to the customer. There is also an option to receive additional incentives based on how much power the battery system contributes to the grid. In the event of potential outages, Eversource will not discharge customer batteries two days before any storms predicted to cause outages.

Grid Edge customers are defined in two ways: as a customer that resides on the top 10% of circuits with the highest number of outages per customer during major storms since July 1, 2012, and as a customer that resides on the top 10% of circuits with the longest outages due to major storms since July 1, 2012.

CEC chair Shirley McCarthy and committee member Eunice Mahler said the committee is working to spread the word about the incentive program, including their recent presentation to members of the Branford Rotary Club.

Branford first selectman Jamie Cosgrove said the CEC has been focused on educating the community on what programs and incentives exist that are available to both the residential and business community.

“This offers additional incentives to address those area that fall in areas which are referred to as Grid Edge; service areas that have a more frequent and higher duration of time of outage,” said Cosgrove. “The Clean Energy Committee wants to alert the community to what is out there that could be of potential benefit, and give them the opportunity to explore these opportunities that exist.”