Italian energy company Enel X has installed a microgrid at a Massachusetts fresh-food service station that leverages solar energy and battery storage to support the facility and EV charging.

Alltown Fresh in Ayer, Massachusetts, should now be more resilient in the event of a local power outage. The microgrid will provide on-site generated power by integrating solar panels on the canopy, a battery storage unit and a portable generator connection, all designed, built, operated and financed by Enel X.

To support EV drivers, Enel X installed a universally compatible JuicePump 50kW, which can charge vehicles up to 80% battery capacity in 30 to 60 minutes.

“The increasing frequency and impact of extreme weather events underscore the need for far more sustainable and resilient power, especially for critical infrastructure,” said Surya Panditi, head of Enel X in North America. “However, solar energy paired with battery storage is not only valuable during emergencies. The Alltown Fresh microgrid is attractive to EV drivers who want to power their vehicles with renewable energy, and it’s valuable to businesses to support the local grid by decreasing overall demand and reducing emissions while reducing costs.”

The microgrid is the first project to be completed under InnovateMass’ Resilient Service Stations Challenge, which seeks to ensure continuous power for service stations near evacuation routes across the state.

Enel X also partnered with National Grid under the EV Make Ready programme to upgrade the grid to support EV charging, power for the service station, and interconnection of the distributed energy resources co-located behind the same meter. This is expected to be the first commercial deployment of its kind, demonstrating the efficient use of utility incentives.

“National Grid is proud to support the first location to combine DCFC [direct current, fast charge] with solar panels and a battery storage system in Massachusetts,” said John Isberg, vice president at National Grid. “Our partnership with Enel X will help National Grid prepare for increased demand from electric vehicle charging stations by using innovative system design to mitigate the impacts of DCFC charging on the grid and maximise the benefits of increased electric vehicle adoption. We are proud to support this initiative and look forward to the future learnings from the launch of this project.”

Petrol stations and convenience stores provide refuelling, water, food, wifi connection and other services for the general public, first responders and utility crews during emergencies. Yet these stations are subject to the same grid power losses as other buildings. As with the one at Alltown Fresh Ayer, microgrids can change that by providing backup power and resilience while increasing the adoption of clean energy and electric mobility options.

More than a fuelling station, Alltown Fresh Ayer offers fresh bean-to-cup coffee, wifi and workspaces to connect laptops. Additionally, fresh food from a locally sourced scratch kitchen provides an array of made-to-order offerings and fresh food choices.

“As we explore the future of energy stations and convenience, we’re focused on three things: customer experience, resilience, and embracing EV charging and other renewable fuels,” said Mark Cosenza, senior vice president of Global Partners, which runs the station. “Every day, we fuel the human journey, whether it is with a fresh cup of coffee, scratch made salad, fuel or a quick charge, and our commitment to that is only heightened during emergencies. We’re adding critical resiliency to our operations through this microgrid, supporting our customers already enjoying a healthier, more sustainable convenience station experience with EV charging powered by renewables. It’s truly a win-win-win.”

The microgrid incorporates Enel X’s distributed energy and electric mobility products, including an 87kW/174kWh battery, an 87kWp PV rooftop solar array, and a 50kW DC fast charging station, supported by Enel X’s DER.OS distributed energy resources optimisation software and JuiceNet software and JuicePass for EV drivers. By integrating the system behind the same meter, on-site solar power will help charge EVs. During a grid outage, the facility’s critical loads can continue to be powered.

The microgrid is modular and scalable for the growing number of fleets and businesses sustainably electrifying their infrastructure while saving on energy costs. Enel X offers flexible financing bundling all microgrid assets to support businesses in resiliency efforts. The customer pays a flat rate for the solar power generated, receives a share of the energy storage asset’s financial benefits, and keeps the EV charging revenues.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) launched the Resilient Service Stations Challenge to seek innovations to offer measurable energy resilience to service stations while boosting clean energy adoption across the state.

“MassCEC is dedicated to accelerating clean energy technologies, companies and projects that support the vibrant and growing clean energy industry in the commonwealth,” said Jennifer Daloisio, CEO of MassCEC. “We’re pleased to support the Enel X microgrid project as it provides a clean, renewable solution to simultaneously reduce the electricity costs of a service station, and ensure its resilience during a power outage.”

In North America, Enel X has around 4500 business customers, spanning more than 35,000 sites and representing approximately $10.5bn in energy spend under management. Enel X North America has approximately 4.7GW of demand response capacity, over 140 battery storage projects that are operational and under contract, and more than 110,000 smart EV charging stations.

With approximately 1700 locations primarily in the north-east USA, Global Partners is an independent owner, supplier and operator of petrol stations and convenience stores. It also owns, controls or has access to one of the largest terminal networks in New England and New York, through which it distributes petrol, distillates, residual oil and renewable fuels to wholesalers, retailers and commercial customers.

• Enel has launched its Gridspertise subsidiary into the USA to support power grid operators and utilities in the digital transformation of electricity networks into smart grids to facilitate the transition towards a fully decarbonised and electrified power system.