Energy storage has become an essential component of renewable energy, as more and more states commit to carbon-free targets. Across New England, almost 18 gigawatts are mandated to come online by 2035 to hit offshore wind targets, according to a report from Utility Dive. It is incumbent upon states to ensure system reliability and the capacity of regional utilities to handle and—equally important, store—increased clean energy resources to power communities, industries, and our homes.

The report states that “offshore wind and storage may be a better answer for the reliability challenges of the Northeast’s dark winters” and emphasized the key role of diversity in renewable resources, which include solar. Offshore wind’s reliability is essential in maintaining costs down. Navigant Director Lon Huber cited in the report that, “There is a need for a portfolio of zero emission resources that maintains high reliability.” He adds that offshore wind “seems an obvious choice if there is transmission to deliver it into load pockets because, in the right offshore locations, it can help cover peak demand.”

The clean energy mix, solar and offshore wind, will become the primary sources of the region’s renewable sources, according to Huber. In New Jersey, grid stabilization for offshore-wind projects and electric vehicle charging stations are priorities to be able to sustain energy storage. Last month, the state awarded its first offshore wind farm project to Ørsted, which will have a 1.1 gigawatt capacity.

The Utility Dive report also mentioned that “Off the Northeastern coast, OSW and transmission are foundational to any portfolio of resources, while the value of storage “is very location specific,” according to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Development Manager Doug Copeland. “As more offshore wind comes online in New Jersey, storage can mitigate its system impacts,” he added.