Looking at Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Vermont
Across Vermont, the transition to cleaner energy is well underway. Every day more and more Vermonters are installing heat pumps, weatherizing homes, generating and consuming renewable electricity, driving electric vehicles, and taking other critical steps toward breaking free from fossil fuels. Simultaneously, many of Vermont's communities and utilities continue to invest in clean energy solutions. Together, these efforts are helping to build a cleaner, more resilient and more affordable Vermont. And it’s all happening despite deeply shortsighted federal rollbacks on renewable energy, including on solar and wind – solar still being the cheapest source of energy on the planet.
But the work is far from over. If anything, it’s just beginning. Despite some positive steps in the electric sector in particular, we’re still far behind on our climate commitments, and we remain heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels for transportation and heating – all of which have skyrocketed in price in recent months.
We have an obligation and a cost-saving opportunity to do things differently. Vermont needs to actively pursue strategies that drastically reduce climate pollution and our heavy reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels. Thankfully, many of those solutions also help to significantly reduce energy costs. If we aim to protect ourselves from volatile fossil fuel costs and eliminate the pollution it yields, we need to support the rapid electrification of Vermont’s electrical grid. That means more renewables: more solar, more wind, and the infrastructure to support them. And that is where battery storage comes in.
What is Battery Energy Storage?
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) store excess energy produced by the grid in rechargeable batteries – usually composed of lithium-ion – to discharge later for home and commercial use. You can picture BESS as a savings account for renewable electricity. On a sunny afternoon, when solar panels are producing more power than people are using, batteries can store that excess energy. Later, during a cold winter evening or a hot summer afternoon when demand is high, stored electricity can be released back onto the grid. When sited close to end-users, BESS can answer local demand and address disruptions in a split second, which in turn helps protect the larger grid while saving energy sources further afield from being wasted en route.
The advantages of BESS to the electric grid – and by extension to Vermonters – are many, including:
Strengthen Vermont’s resilience during severe weather and other grid disruptions.
Reduce reliance on fossil-fuel powered “peaker” plants during periods of high demand.
Lower electricity costs by storing energy when it's cheaper to produce and delivering it when demand spikes.
Support more solar and wind without overwhelming the electric grid or requiring costly transmission upgrades.
Additionally, battery technology is advancing rapidly. Modern systems are designed with multiple layers of protection, including sophisticated battery management systems, continuous monitoring, automatic shutdown capabilities, fire detection, and emergency response planning. National safety standards continue to evolve alongside the technology, making today's systems safer than ever before.
That’s not to say that BESS is always perfect; safety should never be taken for granted, and even a minuscule chance of failure shouldn’t be discounted. Which is why every project should include thorough emergency planning, coordination with local first responders, and early and open communication with nearby residents. (it is worth noting that according to data from the 35 documented BESS fire events from 2012-2024, none resulted in fatalities, contamination, or public health concerns in nearby communities).
All together, the flexibility and reliability BESS offer are becoming increasingly important as Vermont looks to add more renewable energy in accordance with the state’s legal obligations – and the serious cost-saving benefits of clean energy. National research from experts at the Rocky Mountain Institute describe battery storage as the “workhorse” of an affordable, reliable grid – saving consumers millions, stabilizing the power grid, and increasing renewable use. Research from Efficiency Vermont and the state's own Climate Action Plan both point to energy storage as an important part of building a more flexible electric grid – one that can integrate more renewable energy while maintaining reliability, resilience, and affordability.
Building BESS the Right Way
As we’ve seen time and time with solar and wind, the successful expansion of clean energy infrastructure is predicated on how projects are developed just as much as where they’re built and who they benefit.
For example, during the first half of 2026, a proposed BESS project in Vergennes did not proceed following a debate about public engagement, project siting, and safety. The project site was identified without early engagement of, and input from, the community. Some Vergennes residents raised concerns about safety, property values, financing, profits, and more, while some also noted the need for solutions like battery storage to transition away from fossil fuels.
The Vergennes battery storage story is an important example – and a reminder – that careful site selection and meaningful public engagement are vital to the successful rollout of this technology.
To get new battery energy storage projects built – and really all needed energy projects built – that process should include early and ongoing community engagement, transparency, close coordination with local utilities and emergency responders, and careful consideration of local concerns. Communities should be partners in the planning process, not an afterthought.
Looking Ahead
Considering Vermont has established necessarily ambitious climate commitments, achieving them will require more than simply deploying additional solar and wind. It will also require an electric grid that can deliver that renewable energy when and where it's needed most.
BESS are one of the tools that can help make that possible. Battery energy storage improves reliability, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, supports more renewable energy, fosters greater energy independence, and strengthens the resilience of our electric system.
But, like any major infrastructure project, battery storage should be developed thoughtfully, safely, and in partnership with Vermont communities. If we get that part right, battery energy storage can help Vermont build a cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable energy future for all.
Learn More
Batteries: The Workhorse of an Affordable, Reliable Grid by the Rocky Mountain Institute
Efficiency Vermont: The Role of Energy Storage in Meeting Vermont’s Energy Goals
Vermont Public: The Battle Over Battery Energy Storage Sites
Energy Action Network’s Annual Report
