Proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Facility at 73 Hillman Street

Timeline for Proposed BESS Facility at 73 Hillman Street


Host Community Agreement 

Documents submitted to the EFSB

Below are the documents that have been submitted to the Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB)

  1. Attachment A - Project Plans for BESS Site Hillman Energy Center LLC (PDF)
  2. Attachment B - Stormwater Report Hillman Energy Center LLC (PDF)
  3. Attachment C - Sound Level Report Hillman Energy Center LLC (PDF)
  4. Attachment D - EMF Report Hillman Energy Center LLC (PDF)
  5. Attachment E - MHC Correspondence Hillman Energy Center LLC (PDF)
  6. Cover Email Initial Petition Hillman Energy Center LLC (PDF)
  7. Cover Letter Initial Petition Hillman Energy Center LLC (PDF)
  8. Initial Petition EFSB 25-08 Hillman Energy Center LLC (PDF)

Supplemental Filings  

  1. EFSB 25-08 Letter regarding Supplemental filing(18723321.1)
  2. Attachment A Supplemental_Part1
  3. Attachment A Supplemental_Part2
  4. Attachment B Supplemental_Part1
  5. Attachment B Supplemental_Part2
  6. Attachment C Supplemental
  7. Attachment D Supplemental
  8. Attachment H
  9. Attachment I_Part1
  10. Attachment I_Part2
  11. Attachment J_Part1
  12. Attachment J_Part2
  13. Attachment K
  14. Figure 6-5 - Hillman BESS- Street View 2
  15. Figure 6-6 - Hillman BESS- view 3
  16. Figure 6-7 - Hillman BESS- view 4
  17. Figure 6-8 - Hillman BESS- view 5

What is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)?

Battery storage is a technology that enables power system operators and utilities to store energy for later use. A battery energy storage system (BESS) is an electrochemical device that charges (or collects energy) from the grid or a power plant and then discharges that energy at a later time to provide electricity or other grid services when needed. Several battery chemistries are available or under investigation for grid-scale applications, including lithium-ion, lead-acid, redox flow, and molten salt (including sodium-based chemistries).

Source of Definition: Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Fact Sheet (LINK)

What is the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)?

The Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) is an independent state board that review proposed large energy facilities including power plants, electric transmission lines, intra-state natural gas pipelines, and natural gas storage tanks. To obtain EFSB approval, a proposed facility must demonstrate that it would provide a reliable energy supply, with a minimum impact on the environment, at the lowest possible cost. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) administratively supports the work of the EFSB and its staff, but the nine-member EFSB makes its decisions independently. EFSB staff also conducts DPU siting-related cases that do not fall within the EFSB's jurisdiction.

Source of Definition: Commonwealth of Massachusetts webpage for Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) (LINK)

Informational resources

Below are documents, links, and videos to learn more about BESS in Massachusetts

  1. Creating Opportunity: Building a Massachusetts Battery Energy Storage Innovation Ecosystem (June 2019) - UMass Clean Energy Extension (PDF)
  2. Energy Storage Policy Best Practices from New England: Ten Lessons from Six States (August 2021) - Clean Energy Group (PDF)
  3. State of Charge: Massachusetts Energy Storage Initiative Study (2016) (PDF)

Linked resources:

  1. Question: Is the noise from an individual battery energy system storage (BESS) container between 60-90 decibels-A (dBA)?
  2. Question: Will an evacuation procedure be necessary for fire response?
  3. Question: Does the fire burn for 14 days?
  4. Question: Have any BESS facilities been located next to residential neighborhoods?
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